What is the concept of hard filter in dashboarding?

The concept of hard filter in dashboarding refers to filtering at the data level. This approach involves applying filters directly to the underlying data set before the data is processed or visualized in dashboards. By implementing a hard filter at the data level, only the relevant subset of data is pulled into the dashboard, which can significantly improve performance and reduce clutter in the presentation of information.

When hard filters are applied, they limit the dataset that is available for analysis and visualization, ensuring that the remaining data is pre-defined and relevant to the intended insights or metrics being analyzed. This can help streamline the analysis, as it reduces the overhead associated with managing large data sets and focuses the dashboard on key insights.

In contrast, filters at the visualization or report level allow for dynamic interactions where users can adjust their views or drill down into different aspects of the data, but the overall dataset remains unchanged. Similarly, filtering based on user input typically allows users to customize their view on demand without restricting the data set initially pulled into the dashboard.