Trying to use a parameter in a blend with a little hack - almost works

Looker Q&A Looker Studio
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1

I am building a report, where I combine data from two data sources, and then I would like to do a calculated value based on data from those source and then an input parameter, such that for example:

output = parameter x data from source 1 x data from source 2.

As you cannot add parameters that has been added to a data source in Looker to a blend, I tried to hack a bit by adding a calculated field such that

calculated parameter = parameter

This allows me to add the calculated parameter to the blend, which I can then use to calculate and visualize output.

I can succesfully add a control to a page in my report, where I can input the value of parameter and then the output is re-calculated on that page, and any chart based on that gets updated.

The problem arises, if I add another page, and try to do something with the output on that page. The output will not be updated based on the input on the (previous) page, which I don’t fully understand, since I am using the same blend, and values in the blend table should be updated already after changing the parameter value on the other page.

I understand that what I am trying to do, is probably not supported, but would appreciate any suggestions on how to accomplish the above.

Thanks!

2

You may just need make your input box a report-level element? Then it will impact the entire report. If you only want the user to see the input box on page 1, just put a box over it on page 2.

3

And YES the way to use a parameter in a blend is to make a calculated field that brings in the parameter value, so you’re all good there.

1 Like
4

Thank you very much, really appreciate it! That indeed did the trick. I was not aware of that feature for input fields