Create Synced Controls
Synced controls are workbook control elements that have identical, synchronized copies. Both filter controls and parameters support synced copies.
This article explains how synced controls work, how to create them, how to identify them, and how to unsync existing synced controls.
Synced copies can help maintain context when a control impacts elements across multiple workbook pages. For example, you may want to track your organization's high-level sales data on one page and drill into region-specific data on another. If a single filter control impacts elements on both pages, it may be helpful to display the control on both pages, as well. In this case, putting a synced copy of the control on each page allows you and your workbook's viewers to edit the control value from either page, rather than having to switch back and forth. See example
Synced controls can also be used to encourage pre-selection of control values before data loads on other pages. This is accomplished by placing copies of the controls on a landing page prior the viewer navigating to page(s) displaying data. Queries aren't run against your CDW until a page is opened, so allowing viewers to preselect filter values can increase performance and reduce CDW compute costs. See example
Summary of Content
Requirements
Synced Copies vs Duplicates
Create a Synced Copy of a Control
Identify Synced Controls
Unsync a Control
Examples
Example #1
Example #2: Maintain Context Across Multiple Pages
Example #3: Preselect Control Values
Related Resources
Requirements
- To create synced controls, you must have Can Edit access to the individual workbook and be in Edit mode.
- Synced copies are created directly from existing controls. You must have a control before you can create a synced copy of it. It is not possible to sync two pre-existing controls.
Synced Copies vs Duplicates
Synced copies are not the same as duplicates.
Duplicates are independently operating. Edits made to a control's settings or values are not transferred to duplicate copies. In the case of duplicate filter controls, the first one to be edited takes precedence. The other(s) then only display values not filtered out by the first one.
Synced copies are 100% identical and synchronized. When a synced copy is made, the copy is automatically synced to any other synced copies. When edits are made to one of the copy's settings or values, the others update in unison.
Synced copies don't care which copy was the original. Deleting or unsyncing the original copy does not impact other copies in a group of synced copies.
Create a Synced Copy of a Control
Synced controls are created directly from existing controls. You must have a control before you can create a synced copy of it. When a synced copy is made, the copy is automatically synced to all other synced copies.
It is not possible to sync two pre-existing controls. Duplicating a control or a page with controls, does not result in synced copies.
To create a synced control, enter Edit mode, then:
- Hover over the element and open its more (
) menu. - Click Create a synced copy.
A synced copy appears on the page.
To move the control to a new page, open its more menu and select a page from the Move to submenu.
Identify Synced Controls
To identify a control's synced copies, enter Edit mode, then:
- Select the control.
- In the editor panel, open the SYNCED COPIES tab.
All synced copies are listed, including the version you have selected.
Click on a copy to navigate to it.
Unsync a Control
When a synced control is unsynced, it remains on the page as an independently operating duplicate.
To unsync a control, enter Edit mode, then:
- Hover open the element and open its more () menu.
- Click Unsync control.
Examples
Example #1
Example #2: Maintain Context Across Multiple Pages
Example #3: Preselect Control Values