> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/data-security-documentation/inventory-and-monitoring/dashboards-and-reports/advanced-configuration/configure-global-filters.md).

# Configure global filters

Define global filters on your dashboards to enable users to alter the scope of the data by selecting from predefined or dynamic values. You can define filters using free text, single-select, or multi-select input values. Once configured, these filters are accessible to anyone viewing the dashboard.

You can configure up to four global filters on a single dashboard or report.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Prerequisite:** Before configuring global filters, you must add parameters to one or more custom XQL widgets on your dashboard. For more information, see [Add parameters to a custom XQL widget](/data-security-documentation/inventory-and-monitoring/dashboards-and-reports/advanced-configuration/create-custom-widgets/add-parameters-to-a-custom-xql-widget.md).
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Open the dashboard builder.**

Select a dashboard from the **Dashboard Manager** and click **Edit**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Open the filter configuration.**

In the Widget Library click the **Filters & Inputs** icon.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Define the Input name.**

Enter a name that identifies the parameter for dashboard users.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Select the filter type.**

Choose one of the following options:

* **Single Select:** To specify a single predefined value.
* **Multi Select:** To specify multiple predefined or dynamic values.

  <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p><strong>Note:</strong> Multi-select and dynamic filters require the IN operator to be configured within the XQL widget query.</p></div>
* **Free text/number:** To specify a single free-text value.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Select the parameter.**

From the dropdown, choose the specific parameter from your XQL widgets that you want to configure.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Define dropdown options.**

For **Single Select** or **Multi Select** filters, specify filter values. When the dashboard is generated, these options will appear in a dropdown list.

* **For Predefined inputs:** Manually type the list values.

  Guidelines for predefined inputs

  * The values must support the parameter type. For example, specify characters for $name and numbers for $num.
  * If you uploaded numbers in a string, enclose each number in quotes (e.g., `"500"`).
* **For Dynamic inputs:** Configure a query to fetch dynamic values. Click **Select** under **Define Query**.

  #### **Guidelines for dynamic inputs**

  * The query must include the fields stage to select the specific column name for the dropdown values. All values in this field will be available for selection and will update dynamically.
  * <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p><strong>Example:</strong><br>In this example, the <strong>endpoint_name</strong> field is configured so users can filter by one or more endpoint names:<br><code>dataset = endpoints | fields endpoint_name</code></p></div>
  * <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p><strong>Note:</strong> If you specify more than one field, only the first field's values will be used.</p></div>

{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**(Optional) Define a default value.**

If you define a default, the widget populates automatically when the dashboard opens. If no default value is defined, the user can select a value when they open the dashboard.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/data-security-documentation/inventory-and-monitoring/dashboards-and-reports/advanced-configuration/configure-global-filters.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
