Using the Header Filter

This filter constantly updates the list as you adjust the filter settings.

This filter displays a special row immediately under the header row in your list. In this row, you can choose values and tests, after which the list refreshes to show only those records that match your settings. For example, if you set the Consumed column of the All Licenses list to test for Equals 0, the list would show only licenses that were not yet recording consumption through matching installations (and so on).

The default test for header filters is Contains. For example, if you type the text cros in the Name header filter on the All Inventory page, IT Asset Management creates a Name is like %cros% filter and displays the devices with cros anywhere in their name.

The header filter is one way to control the filter engine that decides which rows to display. The same engine is also controlled by the simple filter and the advanced filter. This means you can see the rules you apply using the header filter also displayed in the simple filter (and the advanced filter, when you have that control visible).

To use the header filter control:

1. Above the list on the right, click the header filter icon:

 

A new row appears immediately below the headers in your list. For each column, the display in this row varies, depending on the kind of information:

If the column displays a fixed set of values, the header filter for this column shows a drop-down list where you can choose a value to match. The options may include the special value All, which is the same as not filtering on this column (since it means that all its possible values are allowed). This is handy for removing a particular choice you had made previously.
If the column displays either text or numbers, the header filter for this column shows a field to enter/display values, and another blue filter icon that lets you choose what test to apply with the value.

For more information, see Tips for Using the Header Filter.

2. For columns where you can type in values, take these two actions in either order:
a. Type a value into the field provided (the field is not case sensitive). To use this value in the default test and update the resulting list, finish with the Enter (or Return) key. The default tests are:
For text, each entry in this column Contains your test value
For numbers, each entry in this column Equals your test value.
b. To change the test, click the blue filter icon immediately to the right of this data field. a drop-down list appears, showing the various tests you can apply using this value. The current setting has a check mark (tick) beside it. (The current test is also displayed in the simple filter settings, under the page title.) Choose the test you want to use. (This controls requires a mouse click, and commits all pending changes to your filter.)

Available tests depend on the kind of information. For example, tests for fields that accept text include Begins with, Contains, and Like('%','_') while tests for numeric fields include Is less than and Is greater than or equal to. The Like('%','_') option enables you to filter the text according to the specified pattern. For example, a pattern 'A_t%' displays text items that start with the character 'A' and have the character 't' at the third position, followed by any number of characters.

3. For columns with a fixed set of values, just choose a value from the drop-down list in the header filter row. Remove this choice (when you want to) by choosing All.

Remember that choosing with the mouse commits all your filter changes and updates the results list. To keep adjusting other columns in the filter, you can use the arrow keys to highlight your choice and tab away, or click elsewhere in the header filter row.)

Tip:For more complex filters, such as lists that show 'this value or that value' in a particular column, see Creating an Advanced Filter.

4. You can repeat this process for any additional columns you want to include in your filter.

Tip:Filtering on the columns in the header filter is always additive (logical AND)—a row of data must satisfy all of the tests you apply before it can be displayed in the list. (If you want to use a logical OR, see Creating an Advanced Filter.

5. To clear an individual column test, you can either:
Click the X icon at the right end of the appropriate condition where it displays in the simple filter (under the page title)
Deleting any value in the header filter row for this column.

Tips for Using the Header Filter

You can make several changes in the header filter, as long as the 'focus' of your browser remains in this header row. The list below the filter row is only updated when you 'commit' your series of changes. In detail:

To move between controls without updating the list, so that you may make multiple changes in the filter, use your mouse to click on the next filter control in the header filter row, or use the Tab key to move between filter controls.
For date fields within your series of changes, type dates in manually without using the date picker (since date pickers always commit all your filter changes).
To commit your changed filter settings and update the results list, do any of the following:
Type Enter (marked Return on some keyboards).
With your mouse, click anywhere outside the header filter row.
Use your mouse to choose from a date picker or an drop-down list of fixed values. (Conversely, if you are wanting to select from a drop-down list without updating the results, use your keyboard arrows to highlight your choice, and then tab away to the next control, or make your mouse click somewhere else in the header filter row.)

Example

Show all licenses relating to Microsoft Visual Studio.

In Publisher column, choose Begins with Mic.
In Name column, choose Contains Vis.

The values are visible in the header filter, and your chosen tests and values are visible in the simple filter.