Filters and Interactions
The Analytics Dashboard provides powerful filtering, interactive charts, and search capabilities designed to help you isolate relevant data and discover hidden insights across your spend landscape.
🧭 Navigation
The Analytics module uses a streamlined, tabbed interface to manage different data perspectives.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Tab Switching | Click any tab to switch between specialized analytics views. |
| Scroll Navigation | Use the left/right arrows if tab headers overflow the screen width. |
| Active Indicator | The current view is visually highlighted for easy orientation. |
| Tab Descriptions | Hover over any tab to view a brief summary of its intended use. |
🛠️ Using Filters
Filters allow you to surgically narrow down data to the specific segments that require your attention.
Filter Types
- Dropdowns: Select one or multiple values (e.g., Business Units, Regions).
- Date Pickers: Choose specific fiscal periods or custom ranges for time-based analysis.
- Search Boxes: Type specific terms to find unique values within a list.
Filter Behavior & Persistence
- Logical Combination: Multiple active filters use AND logic—all conditions must be met for a record to appear.
- Instant Updates: Filters are applied immediately, refreshing all charts on the current tab.
- Auto-Save: SpendCraft automatically saves your selections after a short delay.
- Independence: Each tab and dataset maintains its own independent filter state, which is restored upon your return or page refresh.
Hierarchical Auto-Filtering
To maintain context during a "deep dive," the Level tabs apply intelligent auto-filtering:
- Level 2: Auto-filters by the top Level 1 category.
- Level 3: Auto-filters by top Level 1 and Level 2 categories.
- Level 4: Auto-filters by top Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 categories.
- Manual Override: You can manually clear or change these selections at any time to explore alternative category paths.
📊 Chart Interactions
Charts are not just static images; they are interconnected tools for data exploration.
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Click | Select a chart element (like a bar or pie slice) to apply it as a filter to the entire dashboard. |
| Hover | View detailed tooltips containing exact currency values, percentages, and counts. |
| Multi-Select | Selecting an element in one chart updates all other charts on the page automatically. |
| Options Menu | Access the menu on any chart to Export data/images or enter Full-screen mode. |
🔍 Search Functionality
The search bar allows for rapid location of specific records across your entire dataset.
What you can search: Vendors, Categories, Items, Invoices, and specific Transactions.
Search Characteristics
- Case-Insensitive: Searching for "DELL" or "dell" will yield the same results.
- Debounced: The system waits briefly for you to finish typing before executing, ensuring smooth performance.
- Complementary: Search works in tandem with active filters (e.g., searching for a vendor within a filtered "IT" category).
- Real-time: Results update dynamically as you refine your search string.
💡 Tips for Effective Analysis
- The Funnel Approach: Start with broad filters (e.g., Full Year) and gradually narrow your focus to specific vendors or SKUs.
- Strategic Comparisons: Use date ranges to compare "Current Quarter" vs. "Previous Quarter" for trend analysis.
- Combination Power: Use the search bar to find specific invoices after you have filtered for a low-confidence category.
- The Clean Slate: Periodically use the Clear All function to ensure you aren't missing data due to forgotten active filters.
Next Step: Ready to apply these filters to real data? Start with the Spend Overview Guide.