Filtering and Sorting

Starting with SQL Inventory Manager 2.6 you can now use advanced filtering and sorting options on all the instances views.

Sorting

The different instances views  in SQL Inventory Manager  allow sorting data by one column data. To sort the listed instances, expand the drop down menu next to the column name you want to use as sorting criteria and select either Sort Ascending or Sort Descending.

Alternatively click a column name to sort either in ascending or descending order.

Filtering

Quick Filtering

You can find the quick filtering options on the left side of the Instances view. These options will help you get a quick view of your required instances; for example, if you want to see your managed instances filtered by a specific Owner, just choose the respective option from the Owner filter.

Creating a useful filter to "weed out" unnecessary information takes time but is important when managing large environments. As a result, you may want to save that filter for future use. SQL Inventory Manager now allows you to save filters for use in the Explorer and Instances views. Simply create the filter, and then click Save favorite, depending on which view you are in when creating the filter. To use that filter, click Load favorite.

You can enable or disable the option Apply filter as it changes depending if you want to see the changes as you apply the filter, or if you prefer to select your filters first and see the results when you finish.

Filtering columns by name

To have a more compact and relevant view you can filter out columns from the instances views.  To filter out columns by name follow these instructions.

1. Click next to a column name.
2. Go to Columns.
3. Click the checkbox next to the column name you want to filter out.

Filtering by column value

You can also filter instances using column values as filtering criteria. To filter out columns by value follow these instructions.

1. Click next to a column name.
2. Go to Filters.
3. Click the column value you want to use as filtering criteria.

Grouping Columns

The  Managed by Host Server and SQL Licensing by Server views allow you organize instances by grouping them according to column names.

To group instances by  column name follow these instructions.

1. Click next to a column name you want to use as group criteria.
2. Select Group by this field.
   
   

To ungroup instances  follow these instructions.

1. Click next to a column name.
2. Uncheck Group by this field.
   
   

Advanced Filtering

The Advanced Filter option on the actions bar allows you to create, save, and apply advanced filters. The advanced filtering options use both the criteria on the quick filters and all the available data column to create custom filters. To create an advanced filter click Advanced Filter and select Create Filter.

The Advanced Filters dialog in IDERA SQL Inventory Manager has the following structure:

1. Custom Filter Name - Enter a name for your custom filter.
2. Filters Field - Allow you to setup filtering criteria.
3. Add Filter - Allow you to add an additional filter.
4. Clear Filters - Clears the value of filter creation fields.
5. Cancel - Cancels the creation of the filter.
6. Apply Filters without Saving - Applies the current advanced filter without saving it.
7. Save and Filter - Saves and applies the filter.

The Filters Field contains the following elements:

Column Name -  The column name used as filtering criteria, like Instance or  SQLServer Version.

Operator - Compares the value on its left with the value on its right.

Column Value - The value to be used as filtering criteria.

Conditional - Conditional statements that determine additional filtering options. Available options are AND, OR, and NOT.

Creating  Advanced Filters

To create an advanced filter follow these instructions:

1. Go to the instance view where you want to create a filter.
2. Click Advanced Filter and select Create New Filter.
   
   
   
   
3. On the Advanced Filters dialog enter a name for your filter.
   
   
   
   
4. Use the drop down menus to select your desired criteria on the filter creation field.
   
   
   
   
5. Click Save and Filter

You can also use conditions to further refine your advanced filters

You can also use further conditions to refine your advanced filters. To add more filtering fields click Add Filter and choose an operator.

To remove a filter field click .

Editing Advanced Filters

To edit a filter go to an instance view and follow these instructions:

1. Click Advanced Filter.
2. Go to the filter you want to edit.
3. Click on the edit option
   
   

Deleting Advanced Filters

To delete a filter go to an instance view and follow these instructions:

1. Click Advanced Filter.
2. Go to the filter you want to delete.
3. Click on the delete button