Filters determine which data is visible in your report and which is not. That is exactly what this guide is about. You will learn how to create filters directly on a chart, include or exclude values, and combine multiple conditions with each other. I will also show you how to connect a Google Analytics data source and work with filters there.
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This is based on the video "Google Data Studio (Tutorial): 3.6 | Segments and Filters", which runs just under 8.5 minutes. The focus is clearly on filters. Segments are only mentioned in passing in the video, so this guide also concentrates on the filter function.
Key Takeaways
- Filters can be added directly in the chart for most chart types.
- Each filter can either include or exclude.
- Conditions such as "contains", "starts with" or "is equal to" control which values are affected.
- With "And", all conditions must be met; with "Or", a single one is enough.
- Google Analytics provides significantly more dimensions and metrics than the Data Studio test data.
Step 1: Create a filter on a chart
Start with an existing chart, for example a chart that breaks down usage by device. In the video these are computers, mobile phones and tablets. Select the chart and scroll down in the properties panel until you find the section for filters. There you click on "Add filter". Not every chart supports this function, but it is available for most chart types.
Name the filter and set inclusion or exclusion
First give the filter a meaningful name, in the example "Devices". A clear name helps you keep track later when you use several filters in one report.
Then, in the dropdown menu, you decide whether the filter should include or exclude something. In the example you choose "Exclude", because a specific device should disappear from the analysis.
Select field and condition
Next you specify which field the filter refers to. In this chart it is the dimension "Device". In the dropdown menu for the condition, various options are available depending on the field. In Google Analytics, for example, "starts with" or "is equal to" often make sense. For most cases, however, the condition "contains" is completely sufficient, because it is flexible enough without missing too many matches.
Enter the value and save
In the last step you enter the value to be filtered. In the example you type "Computer" into the value field. Then click "Save". The chart updates immediately.
You will see that the computer has disappeared from the chart. This is because the "Devices" filter excludes exactly this value. In your own reports, always check whether the display actually has the desired effect.
Step 2: Combine additional filters and clauses
Create a second filter
You can add as many filters to a chart as you like. In the video you create a second filter, which this time includes something. To do this, select the option "Include", the field "Device" and the condition "contains". As the value you enter "mobile phone". After that, the chart shows only data on mobile devices.
Add clauses
If you want to combine multiple conditions in a single filter, click "Add" at the bottom. This creates an additional row with another object or another option that you can include or exclude. Such rows are called clauses. You can create many combinations with them. If you no longer need a clause, simply remove it again using the corresponding icon.
Understand the difference between And and Or
With clauses, the link between them determines when a filter applies. These terms are often confused, so it is worth taking a closer look:
- And means that all conditions must be met.
- Or means that at least one condition must be met. Both conditions may also apply.
For example, if you combine two exclusions with "And", only records that meet both criteria at the same time are removed. With "Or", a single matching criterion is enough.
Step 3: Connect Google Analytics data as a data source
To work with more realistic data, you switch to Google Analytics. To do this, open the menu for adding data and select the Google Analytics data source. Here you can either use the Data Studio test data or connect your own data.
The video uses a demo account of Google Analytics 4. After connecting, you select the desired property and add the data. Only then are all dimensions and metrics of this property available to you.
Step 4: Build a table with dimensions and metrics
After connecting, you add a new chart. In the example, a table is used. With tables, you define two types of fields: dimensions describe the rows, metrics provide the numbers.
Instead of the event name, in the video you choose the operating system as the dimension, because it is more meaningful for the analysis. Views are added as the metric. After that, you can add further dimensions such as the device model or the region. Suitable metrics include, for example, conversions, session duration, or sessions per user. In this way, your own analysis is created step by step.
Step 5: Create a country filter with an exception
This section shows a practical example: you want to display the USA but exclude the state of California. To do this, you create a new filter and give it a name such as "USA except California".
In the first part of the filter, you include the "Country" field. The condition is "contains", the value "United States". Make sure the value appears exactly like this in your data. An incorrect spelling means the filter will return no results.
In the second part, you exclude the "Region" field. The condition is again "contains", the value is "California". Then save the filter.
After that, California is missing from the table. The list now begins with other regions such as New York and Washington. In this way, filters let you control precisely which areas appear in your analysis.
Practical tip: And and Or in exclusions
When you combine several exclusions, pay particular attention to the logical connection. An example: you want to exclude California and add another exclusion with "And". Then only records to which both conditions apply disappear. If you choose "Or" instead, a single match is enough, and the record is hidden. Check the result in the chart after every change to make sure the logic is correct.
Step 6: Create your own analyses with YouTube data
If you would like to try things out first without your own data, Google's test data is a good option. There are sample sources for Google Analytics, YouTube, and world population. This allows you to practice filters safely.
The same applies to YouTube data: in the Google Analytics dashboard of a channel, you will find metrics such as subscribers, video likes and dislikes, comments, views, shares, and watch time. These values can be freely combined in Data Studio. This is particularly useful if you want to create an analysis outside the regular YouTube Analytics dashboard.
Summary ??? Filters in Google Data Studio: Step-by-Step Guide with AND and OR Logic
Filters are a central tool in Google Data Studio for analyzing reports in a targeted way. You create them directly on the chart, name them, choose between include and exclude, and use fields, conditions, and values to determine which data is affected. With clauses, you combine multiple criteria. The difference between AND and OR is crucial here: with AND, all conditions must be met, with OR, one is enough. With Google Analytics data and your own tables, you can apply this logic to real-world analyses.
FAQ
Can I add a filter to every chart?Not every chart supports filters, but the function is available for most chart types.
What is the difference between include and exclude?Include shows only the data that matches the condition. Exclude hides exactly that data.
Which condition should I use?For most cases, the condition "contains" is sufficient. With Google Analytics, "starts with" or "is equal to" can also be useful.
What does the AND operator mean with multiple clauses?With AND, all conditions must be met at the same time for the filter to apply.
What does the OR operator mean with multiple clauses?With OR, it is enough if at least one condition is met. Both conditions may also apply.
Why does data not disappear as expected after saving?This is often due to incorrect spelling in the value field or an unfavorable combination. Check the value, field, and logic again.
Can I practice without my own data?Yes, Data Studio offers test data for Google Analytics, YouTube, and other examples with which you can try out filters safely.
