Locked Filters give report designers more control over how people use dashboards. They let you fix important filters in place so viewers can explore data safely without changing key context.
Think of it as guardrails for analytics. You decide which fields must stay fixed and which ones users can play with.
This feature is built for two main needs: visual data reduction and guided experiences. |  |
Locked Filters help you deliver dashboards that are:
| They give designers confidence and users clarity. Whether you are protecting customer data or building app-style analytics, Locked Filters make it simple. |
Why Locked Filters Matter
In real business dashboards, not every filter should be open to change.
Sometimes you need to protect sensitive scope, like:
a customer account
a region
a reporting period
a department
a secure data segment
Other times you want to lead users through a specific flow where filters are set for them and should not be touched.
Locked Filters solve both problems in a simple, visual way.
Use Cases
Hide Sensitive Data | Create/Template Guided Dashboards | Support Confident Self-Serve Analytics |
You may have dashboards shared across teams, but each team benefits only from their own data. | Many dashboards act like apps. Users click buttons to move through steps. Example Create one dashboard template and reuse it for many customers or departments.Lock the core filters for each version so viewers only see what matters to them. | Some filters are critical to calculations. If a user clears them, charts can go blank or return confusing results. Locking those fields keeps reports stable and reliable. Users still get freedom to explore, but only where it makes sense. You can lock the foundation and leave optional filters open. |
How It Works
Filter locking is enabled at the workbook level by a workbook editor.
When enabled, filters in the filter bar show a small lock icon.
Users with permissions can lock or unlock specific filters.
A locked filter cannot be changed until it is unlocked.
“Clear All” ignores locked filters so key values are never removed.
Locks can be applied in two ways:
Manual locking | Action-based locking |
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Key Behavior Rules
Bookmarks can override locks when applied. ⚠️
Other actions can still update a locked filter if designed to do so. ⚠️
A filter can be locked even if it has no value selected.
If a filter is locked while it has pending changes, those changes are removed.
Locked filters do not show possible values to viewers – only applied ones.
Locked filters are skipped when someone clicks “Clear All.”
This keeps things predictable while still allowing advanced guided setups.
Permissions
Control is simple:
Workbook owners and editors can manage filter locks by default.
Viewers normally cannot change lock states.
A permission option “Can manage filter locks” controls who is allowed.
Hidden filters can also be locked. Viewers never see them, but designers can manage them.
Working with Actions
Designers can use new actions:
ℹ️ A toast popup message can be presented, informating the user that a field lock state has been changed. |  |
Actions can also:
set a value and lock it in one step
show a toast message like “Region was locked”
This is perfect for buttons such as:
“View Finance Only”
“Lock to My Accounts”
“Reset Guided Flow”
What Users See
When a filter is locked:
If the user has rights, they can unlock it and take back control. | 
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