Get the SharePoint Info You Need with Filters

The Frustration of Filtering SharePoint Lists

Any seasoned SharePoint user knows how clunky filtering lists or document libraries can be.

• You click a column header
• Scroll through dozens of values
• Select one which filters the view

But then you want to filter again, perhaps by a different column. Each step takes you back to the full list of filter values. Moreover, if the column isn’t part of your current view, you don’t even have the option to filter it.

This process is not only time-consuming, but it disrupts workflow by forcing users into a rigid, task-by-task sequence. Add into the mix the possibility of filtering across multiple web parts as a user or via parameters passed from other pages, and the native tools just don’t meet the mark.

Ultimate Forms: A Better Way Forward

That’s where the Filters component of Ultimate Forms comes in. It addresses three major limitations of standard SharePoint filtering:

1. Multi-level filtering: apply multiple filters at once, without resetting between columns.

2. Customizable filtering interfaces: choose between text, dropdowns, cascading lookups, and more.

3. Flexible placement and visibility: filters can be visible or hidden, horizontally or vertically oriented, and arranged in single or multiple rows.

In other words, Filters gives you control over how, what, and where users filter, making your SharePoint environment smarter, faster, and more intuitive.

Core Features That Set It Apart

Let’s dive deeper into what makes Filters stand out:

• Eight Filter Types
  From free-text search to lookups, cascading dropdowns, date pickers, and complex forms, Filters accommodates a variety of input styles. This allows tailored experiences based on the data being filtered.

• Multiple Filters at Once
  You’re not limited to one filter at a time. You can apply rules across multiple columns in one go, streamlining your analysis and search process.

• User-Friendly Layouts
  Want your filters in a row at the top of the page? Go for horizontal display. Prefer vertical alignment off to the side? Filters covers that. It’s as flexible as you need.

• Pass-Through Parameters
  Filters can accept input from other pages via query parameters, making dashboards or external data feeds more interactive and cohesive.

• Simple Configuration
  No need to dive into deep site settings or write a single script. Everything is set up with a few clicks in the browser.

Smarter, Faster, Better—Here’s Why It Matters

1. Improved Productivity

Consider a sales team that needs to filter opportunities by region, salesperson, and status simultaneously. With built-in SharePoint filters, that’s three separate rounds of filtering. With Filters, it’s one intuitive, consolidated interface.

2. Cleaner User Interfaces

Native filters are often buried and overlooked. With Filters, you can embed easily accessible, task-specific filtering right where it belongs. Your team won’t have to hunt.

3. Stronger Data Security

By passing filter parameters from external pages, departments can create filtered dashboards exposing only relevant data, without giving direct access to the full list.

Setting Up Filters: The Simple Steps

Let’s walk through the configuration process—making it easy for novice users:

1. Install Ultimate Forms - a 30 day trial version is available. For SharePoint Online, create a new Filter profile in the app. On premises, configure directly within the web part properties.

2. Add the Filter Web Part
   In edit mode, add the Infowise Filter web part to your page where you want filters to appear.

3. Define Each Filter's Behavior

   • Choose the filter type (e.g., text, date, lookup).

   • Link it to the appropriate list column.

   • Add a label and default or hidden value if needed.

4. Configure Layout Preferences
   Decide if your filters will appear horizontally, vertically, or in multiple rows, depending on your page layout.

5. Activate Cascading Logic (if desired)
   For example, a "Country" dropdown filters choices available in a "City" dropdown, reducing clutter and guiding users.

6. Set Up External Parameter Binding (Optional)
   Enable passing values via URL query strings to pre-filter data. This is great for dashboards or embedded SharePoint views.

7. Save & Preview
   Verify filters show accurately, produce the right results, and maintain intuitive interaction.

Real-World Scenarios Where Filters Makes a Difference

A. Customer Service Dashboards

Imagine support tickets being filtered by customer name, issue type, and priority - all from one compact dashboard. Agents find what they need faster, improve response times, and reduce navigation friction.

B. Procurement Workflows

Procurement officers often filter by vendor, contract date, and status. A filter panel next to the list allows quick, dynamic decision-making and cross-list comparisons.

C. Compliance Reporting

Regulatory audits often require filtering by category, date, user, or approval level. Filters streamlines these views, letting auditors get precise snapshots with no misclicks.

Best Practices for Maximum Efficiency

Filters - Where It Shines

• Performance at Scale: Pre-filtering large lists before loading them reduces load times and stress on servers.

• Versatile Deployment: Use it on dashboards, landing pages, approval portals, or anywhere users filter data.

• User Empowerment: No training required - smart, responsive filtration means users get what they need, faster.

Looking Ahead: Enhancing Your SharePoint UX

Filters is a foundation. Want to complement it further?

• Results & Reports: Combine with Rollup or Charts to build filtered visual dashboards.

• Action-Based Filtering: Automate actions (like approval or export) on filtered results.

• Personalization: Save filter combinations as templates for repeat workflows.

• Mobile Optimization: Customize layout dynamically based on device type.

Wrap-Up: Filtering That Fits

SharePoint’s native filtering works - and works slowly, painfully, and with limited context. Filters unifies the power of multi-column filtering, flexible filters, and layout customization into one user-friendly package.

If you're building dashboards, building workflows, or simply want your users to find what they need faster - this is a tool you shouldn't overlook.