Parameters are a primary component in building flexible, manageable query retrieval processes, as well as enabling simple filter selections. Hard coded values in queries can be replaced with parameters and a single parameter can be leveraged by multiple queries, thus reducing development time and maintenance. Additionally, parameters can be assigned data types to match data sources and can be easily adjusted via lists of predefined values, both in the Query Editor and in the Report View.

In this recipe, a parameter is used to filter a fact table query for a specified number of days relative to the current date. An additional, more advanced example is shared to apply parameters to a fact table query on both a dimension column as well as a date range.