# Options for filtering an interactive table **URL:** \ **Category:** Support, Troubleshooting, & Help\ **Created:** [April 29, 2021, 1:09pm UTC](https://community.tulip.co/t/options-for-filtering-an-interactive-table/2616 "2021-04-29T13:09:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JasonMcD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.tulip.co/jasonmcd/32/1849_2.png) [@JasonMcD](https://community.tulip.co/u/JasonMcD)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 1:09pm UTC](https://community.tulip.co/t/options-for-filtering-an-interactive-table/2616/1 "2021-04-29T13:09:28Z")
I’ve seen a few posts on this, but I just wanted to know all of my options. > **Fair warning** > > We keep very little data in Tulip, so most of this info is from connectors to our ERP. **Situation** : I want the user to be able to filter the list of employees by department. **Option 1** : Two interactive tables. > **Picture of two tables** > > ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/agilemfg/original/2X/7/77bf68c0e891e2165aeb289e948314d24bafa64f.png) - Table 1 is list of department IDs and descriptions (but only _showing_ the descriptions) - On row selection, run connector to get employee list (with parameter of dept. ID) - Table 2 is populated with connector output (employee list) - **Disadvantage** : it takes up too much space and/or you have to scroll **Option 2** : Dropdown box and a button > **Picture of dropdown** > > ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/agilemfg/original/2X/1/1ac0f92ac86b12a04b93ac24d83593dcf8f2fd4c.png) - Dropdown is a list of department IDs - saves to a variable - Choose one then click a button - Button has a trigger to run connector for employee list - **Disadvantage** : Extra clicks (I like it to be instant). Plus, I can’t hide the ID and show the description - which is a nice option - or even show multiple columns in the dropdown. **What else is there?** - Can I do a pop-up window for the department interactive table? Then run the connector for the main window? - Dropdown with a trigger would be nice (no button needed); also multi-column dropdown and/or return var different from the visible choices - Other things I am missing? ---
**Author:** ![gio](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.tulip.co/gio/32/82_2.png) [@gio](https://community.tulip.co/u/gio)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 2:34pm UTC](https://community.tulip.co/t/options-for-filtering-an-interactive-table/2616/2 "2021-04-29T14:34:25Z")
hello @JasonMcD, thanks for posting!! I’m also eager to hear what other users have built. from my perspective, I believe you’ve considered the 2 best options for achieving what you’re describing. the last one I would like to mention is using a Text Input that acts as a Search: [Search Embedded Tables](https://community.tulip.co/t/search-embedded-tables/1185). what are your thoughts on this?? to answer your questions: > [@JasonMcD](#): > > - Can I do a pop-up window for the department interactive table? Then run the connector for the main window? this Library App has a nice Step dedicated to a Modal that could work well as a starting point: [https://tulip.co/library/apps/tulip-ui-template/](https://tulip.co/library/apps/tulip-ui-template/) ![Screen Shot](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/agilemfg/original/2X/4/4ef88d7b065b3e90f0746f6a2bdf3250ecc13d2e.jpeg) > [@JasonMcD](#): > > - Dropdown with a trigger would be nice (no button needed); also multi-column dropdown and/or return var different from the visible choices this sounds like a great [Product suggestions - Tulip Community](https://community.tulip.co/c/product-suggestions/10) to me!! would you mind posting?? ---
**Author:** ![JasonMcD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.tulip.co/jasonmcd/32/1849_2.png) [@JasonMcD](https://community.tulip.co/u/JasonMcD)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.tulip.co/t/options-for-filtering-an-interactive-table/2616/3 "2021-04-29T15:42:33Z")
@gio Thank you as always. > [@gio](#): > > using a Text Input that acts as a Search: [Search Embedded Tables](https://community.tulip.co/t/search-embedded-tables/1185). what are your thoughts on this?? OK, I’m intrigued, but… Am I correct that the filter option is not available **unless I use a Tulip Table**? Our data comes from the ERP, not Tulip, so if so, this is a dead end for me, anyway. Really cool, though. _cough_ Filters should be on connector tables, too _cough_ > [@gio](#): > > Library App has a nice Step dedicated to a Modal I downloaded this, but I don’t get it. Not to be funny, but it looks completely faked - or am I missing something? The area behind the “modal” is a faux-screen made to look like one of the other steps. In the end, I think the dropdown with a button is just fine. I have the freedom to change the department names in the ERP (and no one would know…), so I did that to make the selections better. But yes, I’ll suggest the idea for sure. That seems like a slam dunk. ---
**Author:** ![JasonMcD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.tulip.co/jasonmcd/32/1849_2.png) [@JasonMcD](https://community.tulip.co/u/JasonMcD)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 4:09pm UTC](https://community.tulip.co/t/options-for-filtering-an-interactive-table/2616/4 "2021-04-29T16:09:43Z")
Dropdown trigger suggestion exists already - I just had to use the right term for it: > [@Add trigger to Single Select Widget](https://community.tulip.co/t/add-trigger-to-single-select-widget/228): > > In order to trigger actions when you select a value in new “Single Select Widget”, a trigger function (as button widget) will be great And then I added the multi-column idea: > [@Multiple columns in single select](https://community.tulip.co/t/multiple-columns-in-single-select/2626): > > In conjunction with [this trigger request for dropdowns](https://community.tulip.co/t/add-trigger-to-single-select-widget/228), It would be nice if a Single Select widget could support multiple columns. Also possibly show only one of the columns but it stores two. The idea is that I have a list of department descriptions and department codes, and a list of employees assigned to the department code The codes are ugly, but no one usually sees them, so who cares. But: I need the code to filter the list of employees I want the “single select” to display the desc… ---
**Author:** ![JasonMcD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.tulip.co/jasonmcd/32/1849_2.png) [@JasonMcD](https://community.tulip.co/u/JasonMcD)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 6:52pm UTC](https://community.tulip.co/t/options-for-filtering-an-interactive-table/2616/5 "2021-04-29T18:52:11Z")
> [@JasonMcD](#): > > Am I correct that the filter option is not available **unless I use a Tulip Table**? Our data comes from the ERP @gio Do you agree? I’ll put in a suggestion if that’s true and it is not available on variable-based Interactive Tables. ---
**Author:** ![gio](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.tulip.co/gio/32/82_2.png) [@gio](https://community.tulip.co/u/gio)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 9:22pm UTC](https://community.tulip.co/t/options-for-filtering-an-interactive-table/2616/6 "2021-04-29T21:22:51Z")
hello @JasonMcD, my apologies for the delayed response. I thought the filtering was also available on data returned from Connector Functions, but must be getting confused as it’s indeed not showing up. I think it’s a great suggestion, it would be appreciated if you could share it. for the short term, could you filter the information your ERP provides back to Tulip as to only contain the filtered data?? thanks!! ---
**Author:** ![JasonMcD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.tulip.co/jasonmcd/32/1849_2.png) [@JasonMcD](https://community.tulip.co/u/JasonMcD)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 11:55pm UTC](https://community.tulip.co/t/options-for-filtering-an-interactive-table/2616/7 "2021-04-29T23:55:23Z")
Yep sure can. I just like to know all of the options.