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Fix empty results and filters that do not respond

Check access, empty tables, dropdown values, unmapped cards and differences between measures.

Written by Alex Merkin

Question numbers match their folders: folder 01 contains 01-01, 01-02 and so on. The starter dashboard uses 01-05, 01-08 and 01-02; process filter values come from 01-20. OBP identities and SQL filenames remain stable. Screenshots show the earlier numbering; use the current question numbers in the text when navigating the updated bank.

Start with the symptom below. Clear temporary filters before deciding that data is missing, and distinguish a valid empty result from a query or access error.

The collection is missing

Check the organization link and signed-in account. Ask the Metabase administrator for viewing access to the collection and sources.

Create or Save is unavailable

Choose a personal or authorized team collection. If saving is still unavailable, ask the administrator for a permitted destination or content-creation access.

Two questions have the same name

Choose the result in the English reporting examples collection, not its copy in Question sources. Use its stable question number.

No results!

Clear filters first. Widen a date filter if one exists. Check the source status and date conditions. Empty overdue or frozen-order lists can be correct.

A filter does not change a card

In dashboard edit mode, reopen the filter and inspect that card’s Column to filter on. Test another existing value. If all rows already match, an unchanged count is expected. Save the mapping and reopen.

Check Column to filter on on the card while editing the dashboard

Check Column to filter on on the card while editing the dashboard

  1. Choose an existing column instead of Select….

  2. In the example, select Process.

The wanted column is not offered

Check the output columns in the catalog and the filter type. A filter Label cannot create a missing column. Choose a suitable question or request an adaptation.

The dropdown is empty

Under Dropdown list → Edit, check the source question and value column. Open that source and confirm it has values and you have access.

Selectable values: check the source and value column before Done

Selectable values: check the source and value column before Done

  1. Check the source question.

  2. Check the column supplying values.

  3. Click Done, then save the dashboard.

A process appears in 01-02 but not in the dropdown

A dropdown sourced from 01-05 excludes processes with only frozen orders. Use 01-20 and its Process column to cover the open-order states, excluding blank names. Clear the filter to include unnamed cases.

Example: question 01-20 supplies the names in the Process column. Your environment may have different values.

Example: question 63 supplies the names in the Process column. Your environment may have different values.

The dashboard filter is not visible

Connect it to a suitable card, choose Done, save the dashboard and reopen. Check the saved dashboard, not an unsaved edit.

Only one month appears in a chart

Check the unfiltered data and any date condition. A small number of periods is insufficient to establish a trend.

Two questions give different totals

Compare row grain, included statuses, date fields, NULL handling and denominators. For example 01-02 includes frozen orders and 01-05 does not;02-05 and 02-07 require dates that 02-13 does not.

Reported hours look too high

Check whether timers overlapped. Do not compare summed report hours directly with attendance. Non-overlapping worker time requires a dedicated calculation.

A dashboard is slow or errors

Open the affected question alone to distinguish a question problem from a full-dashboard load problem. Reduce unnecessary cards and send support the question number, selection, time and exact error. A shorter date range does not guarantee faster scanning.

What to send support

  • The dashboard or question link and question number.

  • Your environment name, time of the check and selected filters.

  • The exact error, expected result and one known case from your own environment.

  • Whether the original saved question or an adapted copy is affected. Do not send passwords or access tokens.


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