Achieving Global Filters Across The Report in Power BI

Hey Folks,

I have been constantly seeing people trying to achieve global filters across the report in Power Bi.
Let me walk you through simple steps to do the same.

Scenario:

I have multiple data sources (say 3 sources). I have created multiple visuals in one page using all these data sources. Now, I have a dropdown with Year values fed from source 1. I expect this dropdown to work as a global filter i.e. all the visuals in the page should get filtered with respect to the value selected in the dropdown. But just because the dropdown is fed from source 1, only visuals associated with source 1 alone gets affected while other visuals remain unchanged.

Note: The above problem would have been easily solved by managing relationship using year columns between different sources if any one of the 3 data sources had unique values in their Year column. But in our scenario no table has such unique values. Please peek at the sample tables below for understanding.

Source 1:

Achieving Global Filters Across The Report in Power BI

Source 2:

Source 3:

Solution:

Now, let’s look at making Year and Month as global filters.

Step 1: Create a date table in a calendar format i.e. unique running dates as below.

Step 2: Now create relationships as below between the tables using the date column.

Step 3: Now drag and drop the Year and Month fields from the respective dummy tables into the Report level filters area as below.

That’s all folks!

Now as you switch between the checkboxes as below you can all the visuals getting affected with your selection.