A fixed filter narrows what a Table or List element shows, permanently and invisibly to the end user — unlike search or allowed filters, which the user drives. Use it for “this table only ever shows open tickets” or “only rows belonging to the signed-in user”.
Before v2.0.0 a fixed filter had to be written as a custom expression. v2.0.0 adds a visual rule editor alongside it.
On a Table or List element, in the Filter by section of the element editor. Click Open Filter Builder to open the Filter Builder dialog. The dialog is draggable, so you can move it aside and keep looking at the canvas underneath.
The dialog has two tabs:
| Tab | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Visual | Build rules from dropdowns. No expression syntax to learn. |
| Expression | Write the filter as a custom expression. Full power, no guard rails. |
Both edit the same underlying filter. Switching tabs does not discard your work.
A filter is a set of rules joined by one combinator:
- Match all rules (AND) — every rule must hold.
- Match any rule (OR) — at least one rule must hold.
Each rule is Column → Operator → Value.
| Operator | Meaning |
|---|---|
= | equals |
<> | not equal |
> >= < <= | comparisons |
LIKE | pattern match, case-sensitive |
ILIKE | pattern match, case-insensitive |
~ ~* | regular expression, case-sensitive / insensitive |
IN | value is one of a list |
@> | contains (arrays, ranges, JSON) |
&& | overlaps (arrays, ranges) |
IS NULL / IS NOT NULL | null checks |
IS TRUE / IS FALSE | boolean checks |
The operator list is filtered to those that make sense for the selected column’s PostgreSQL type, and each carries a hover explanation.
A rule’s value can come from two places:
- Fixed — a literal you type. Date and time columns get a date/time picker rather than a free-text box.
- Element — the current value of another element on the page, selected by element and selector. This is what makes a filter react to a dropdown, a date range, or a search box elsewhere on the page.
Rules can be added, edited, and deleted individually. An empty filter shows “No rules yet. Use the form below to add one.”
The expression editor takes a custom expression and gives you everything the visual builder cannot express — nested groups, computed values, anything the expression language supports. See Expressions.
InfoFilters with nested groups cannot be edited visually. If a filter was built with nested groups, the Visual tab is disabled and CYPEX tells you so: “This filter uses nested groups and cannot be edited visually. Open the Expression tab to view or edit it.” Nothing is lost — the filter still works, it just has to be maintained as an expression.
WarningThe filter builder is not available on connector-backed tables. Fixed filters compile to PostgREST query parameters, which the connector runtime does not accept in this release, so the editor hides the control rather than offering one that would be silently ignored. Scheduled for v2.0.1. See Connectors — what ships in v2.0.0.
- Application Designer — the editor and its Toolbox.
- List — the other element that uses fixed filters.
- Expressions — the custom-expression language behind the Expression tab.
- Saving your work — save points and releases.