How to use Filtering and Logic in REDCap reports

Owned by Sara Latour (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Jan 17, 2022 by Emily Martens
3 min read

How to prepare more advanced REDCap Reports utilizing filtering, logic and/or live filters.

How to add a filter to a REDCap Report

Filter Basics

  1. To add filters to a report in REDCap, navigate to your REDCap project and Create a report or edit an existing REDCap report.

  2. Scroll down to Step 3 and begin typing in the filter box, select the field you wish to filter on from the drop-down menu.

  3. Select an operator and enter a value.

    1. If the field is multiple choice, it will automatically load all of that field's choices in a drop-down, and you must select one of the choices.

    2. If it is not a multiple choice field, a text box for entering the filter value will be provided. Available operators include:

      1. =

      2. not =

      3. contains

      4. does not contain

      5. starts with

      6. ends with

 

  1. To add additional filtering logic, select AND/OR and repeat Step 1 for the additional variable(s).

     

  2. Advanced filter logic can also be used. Click Use advanced logic and use the Logic Editor to compose your text. Smart variables can be used to filter repeating data. To learn more about Smart Variables, click the Smart Variables button in the Logic Editor. Once finished, click Update and Close Editor.

How to use Live Filtering

Live filtering is a way to filter a report in real-time. This means you can prepare a report and look at certain variables or field values on the fly. For example, you may want to create a report of all participants' demographic data, but have the option to switch between those diagnosed with diabetes and those without the disease.

  1.  Identify the report you wish to add a live filter(s) to and click Edit adjacent to the title.

     

  2. Select the variable for which you would like to live filter from the drop-down list, and then click Save Report.

     

  3. You will be brought back to the report page. You may now filter your data by selecting the appropriate variable values from the drop-down menu adjacent to Live filters in the top right-hand corner of the page.

     

  4. This will update the data rows accordingly. Data may be exported after filtering and provide a total number of filtered records in relation to total records queried.