Dynamic filtering using Table Filter / Table Excerpt Include in Confluence Cloud doesn't work?

[Gareth Beynon]

I've used Stiltsoft table filter suite a lot in Confluence DC building dynamically filtered reporting but I am not able to replicate the same functionality on Confluence Cloud and can't get the same result.

What I am trying to do is display a source Jira table which is wrapped by a table filter which will then drive multiple pivot tables and graphs on the same page. 

I'm aware I have to use the table toolbox macro to do the nesting but when I nest the table and wrap it in a table excerpt and then use table excerpt includes in the respective graphs/pivots these then display with their own replica table filters which work independent of the original source table filter?

In Confluence DC you were able to have one master (source) table filter which then triggered filtering of all excerpted data in the same page. My question is whether this is possible in Confluence Cloud?

[Stiltsoft support · Accepted solution]

Hi @Gareth Beynon ,

If we got your issue wrong, please refer to our support portal - you'll be able to share your macro structure and we'll be able to advise.

As we see the issue from your description, you put the Table Excerpt macro in the wrong place.

For example, you wrap your Jira Issues macro in the Table Toolbox macro. Then inside the Table Toolbox macro you can create two macro sequences:

1. Jira Issues <- Table Excerpt <-Table Filter - only the source table is reused, the Table Filter macro stands outside the Table Excerpt macro
2. Jira Issues <- Table Filter <- Table Excerpt - the already filtered table is reused

If you choose the second option, the Table Excerpt Include macros will get the already filtered table. Then you wrap each Include in the Table Toolbox macro and use Pivot Table/Table Transformer/Chart from Table macros to modify/visualize your already filtered table further.

[Gareth Beynon]

Thanks for such a quick response all...

I've tried both nesting sequences and neither provide the dynamic functionality that is present in DC that @Christos Markoulatos alludes to below.

If I go with sequence 2 the table filter gets replicated from the source table (as it is inside the table excerpt wrapper), but crucially it works completely independently of the source filter present on the table.

What I would like is to have the report open with no filters applied and all source content hidden on the graphs/pivots that are using the excerpt-include. Then when the user filters the source table it effectively filters all data across the graphs/pivots (e.g. user filters table via Status to only show @"In Progress" and the table AND pivots/graphs filter accordingly.

This was easy to do in DC but it seems it simply doesn't operate the same in Cloud? I presume the answer is it isn't possible?

This is disappointing as it's such a powerful feature for creating robust reports. If it isn't possible at present perhaps it could be captured as a requested feature for future inclusion?

 

[Christos Markoulatos]

Hey @Gareth Beynon 

Im sorry that I caused confusion. I didn’t explain things clearly in my earlier reply. I was referring to the correct nesting sequence for reusing filtered data and it came across as suggesting that filtering the source table would dynamically affect all excerpted charts/pivots which, as you confirmed, isn’t how it works in Cloud.

It’s definitely a limitation compared to DC, and I agree it would be a great feature to have in Cloud.

[Stiltsoft support]

Hi @Gareth Beynon ,

We've recreated the case and everything works just as it is expected.

Here is the page in the Edit mode:

The Source Table structure is as following:

We set the dropdown filter and then reuse the filtered table (just as you do it on your screenshots).

The Pivot Table structure is as following:

We create it based on the reused filtered table.

Then when the page is published, we see the following:

Now we can go to our dropdown filter and choose the "In progress" status.

Then we save this filter:

And reload (refresh) the page. 

After that the changes get through the Table Excerpt/Table Excerpt Include macros and your pivot table is automatically rebuilt:

So, can't you be excluding either filter saving or page refreshing steps from the algorithm?

If you do all the steps we've described above but the issue persists, please refer to our support directly for further investigation.

[Gareth Beynon]

Hi.

I think you've just answered the question by confirming the current limitation in the cloud version. 

When on Data Centre this functionality worked without needing to page refresh or filter saving. The page would update with the new filter applied instantaneously allowing for quick dynamic drilldown by the user.

From what you've described above you are now required to first save the new filter and then refresh the entire page for it to be applied into all the connected table excerpt include connections.

From a usage pattern perspective this ruins the user experience as it slows it down to a crawl.

Thank you very much for your further investigations on my behalf, much appreciated. I think however if this is the current implementation for cloud I may have to look at other 3rd party tools which perform a similar function.

[Stiltsoft support]

Hi @Gareth Beynon ,

Unfortunately, the issue comes not from the app but from internal differences between Data Center and Cloud platforms.

For example, in Cloud all inserted macros are isolated, each one (both native and 3rd party macros) is placed into an IFrame. Hence the discussed issue (it is not an "issue", it's just how things are organized in Cloud) and, for example, the inability to nest macros directly on the page as you've done it in Data Center.

The latter barrier was overstepped with the help of the Table Toolbox macro: it wasn't designed for fun or to make the lives of Cloud users more difficult but to allow macro nesting that is impossible directly.

[Gareth Beynon]

Yes I completely understand you're working within the constraints of the toolset and the differences apparent. That doesn't make it any less frustrating for the end user :/

Thanks for your efforts.

[Christos Markoulatos]

Yeah, Cloud doesn’t have the “master” Table Filter like DC. Each Table Excerpt Include works on its own, so filters don’t sync across macros.

If you want the filtered data to carry over, put the Table Filter before the Table Excerpt:
Jira Issues → Table Filter → Table Excerpt

Then use Table Excerpt Include with Table Toolbox for your pivots or charts. If you flip the order, the filtering won’t stick.

Most folks just keep everything inside one Table Toolbox container to keep it consistent. Not as neat as DC, but it works.

Hope that clears it up!

[Stiltsoft support]

Hi @Christos Markoulatos ,

Sorry if we are wrong but your post looks like an AI-generated one. Please don't share such answers - the material looks very confusing and controversial.

[Christos Markoulatos]

Hi @Stiltsoft support its not but thanks for helping, i was trying to make it work my self. Again thanks for your support