Create a hidden control

Hidden controls are control elements saved in hidden workbook pages. You can use them to restrict interactions with controls that could expose unauthorized data.

This document introduces hidden controls and explains how to securely hide a control for data security purposes in shared or embedded workbooks. For information about hidden workbook pages, see Manage workbook page visibility.

User requirements

The ability to create a hidden control requires the following:

• You must be assigned an account type with the Create, edit, and publish workbook permission enabled.
• You must be the workbook owner or be granted Can edit workbook permission.

Understanding hidden controls

A hidden control exists in a hidden page and is inaccessible to all or select users (depending on the page visibility setting) when the workbook content is accessed in View or Explore mode directly within Sigma or in an embed.

When the control element is configured and hidden correctly, the restricted access adds a level of data security by preventing users from changing the control value and exposing unauthorized data in visible workbook elements.

Important considerations when using hidden controls

To ensure your organization's sensitive data remains secure, consider the following information when configuring hidden controls.

Control element filter targets

Saving a control element in a hidden page doesn't automatically restrict user interactions with the control. When a visible element is configured as a control element's filter target (through manual configuration or when a user converts an element filter to a page control), users can access the control indirectly by clicking Filters in the target element's toolbar.

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To prevent indirect access to a hidden control in a visible element's toolbar, confirm that there are no visible elements included in the control's filter targets. To completely restrict access to the hidden control, the control's filter target must be the data source or hidden parent element of the visible element you want to filter.

Workbook page visibility

Page visibility settings apply in View and Explore mode only. The workbook owner and any user granted Can edit permission for the particular workbook can access all pages in Edit mode, regardless of page visibility settings. Therefore, hidden controls are accessible to any user with the ability to edit the workbook.

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Before sharing or embedding workbook content, ensure users are granted permissions that appropriately permit or restrict access to hidden controls.

Create and secure a hidden control

The following workflow demonstrates an approach to properly configuring a hidden control.

1. Add or move a control to a hidden page, or hide the page already containing it.

2. Select the control element, then select Element properties in the side navigation.

3. Open the Targets tab, then click + Add filter target and select one of the following options as the hidden control's filter target:

   • The data source (database table) of the visible element you want to filter.
   • A hidden parent element of the visible element you want to filter.

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   If a parent element is selected as the filter target, it must be saved in a hidden page for the control to remain inaccessible in the visible workbook content.

   Sigma displays a warning for any filter target options that may expose the hidden control in visible elements.

   

4. In the workbook header, click Publish to save the changes.

5. Click the caret () associated with the workbook's name, then select Share.

   

6. In the Share Workbook modal, ensure users are granted permissions that appropriately permit or restrict access to hidden controls.

   With the control filter targets and workbook permissions properly configured, the hidden control should remain directly and indirectly inaccessible to users accessing the workbook in View or Explore mode within Sigma or an embed.