The Query Builder is used to isolate records that meet specific criteria. Some of the queries created in Slate will be used continually as part of business processes, while others can be used just once to accomplish a non-recurring task. Choose New Query when the query should be saved for future use, or choose Quick Query for ad hoc queries.
Create a Quick Query
- Click Queries / Reports in the top navigation bar.
- Click Quick Query.
- Pick a Type and a Base for the query. Bases are grouped by Type, including local query bases created or modified for your instance, Slate Template Library bases that are the same across all Slate instances, and Configurable Joins bases with more advanced capabilities.
The query base determines what each row of the query results will represent. For example, a query on the Applications base will return one row per application, while a query on the Prospects base will return one row per person record.
While the base selected will begin to define the query results, you must apply filters to limit the records appearing in the query results more precisely.
Important!
You cannot change the query base once the query build is started.
Quick Query Options
| Quick Query Options | |
|---|---|
| Run Query | Once exports and filters are added, click Run Query to display query results. |
| Preview Results | See a sample of query results before running the query. |
| Display SQL | View the SQL generated from adding exports and filters. |
| Copy |
Save a quick query for future use. NOTE: When saving a Quick Query, update the folder destination. |
Add Exports
| Add Exports | |
|---|---|
| Export | Click Export to begin defining the data (i.e., the columns) that appear when the query runs. |
| Literal | Click Literal to add a static value as an export column. Every row in the query results will have the same static value in this column. |
| Formula | Click Formula to produce calculated values based on a defined formula. |
| Custom SQL | Click Custom SQL to add a custom export column. This option is used for more complex data exports. In many cases, Configurable Joins removes the need for custom SQL exports. |
| Existence | Select Existence to return a value based on whether or not the record meets certain criteria. On Configurable Joins query bases, Existence exports are created using subqueries. |
| Subquery | Configurable Joins query bases include the option to add subquery exports. |
Add Filters
| Add Filters | |
|---|---|
| Filter | Click Filter to restrict the population of records to be exported. Add as many filters as needed. |
| Custom SQL | Click the Custom SQL button to add a custom SQL filter. This option is used for more complex data exports. In many cases, Configurable Joins removes the need for custom SQL filters. |
| OR, NOT, ), ( | When necessary, add OR and NOT logic operators. You must use parentheses with logic operators. |
| Subquery | Configurable Joins query bases include the option to add subquery filters. |
Add Sorts
| Add Sorts | |
|---|---|
| Sort | Sort query results based on one or more data points. If a sort key is not added, queries using a Prospects or Applications base are sorted by last name and first name. |