There are two ways to control filtering in Information Designer. One is to create separate filter elements. These will appear as icons, and allow the end user to apply them in an information link at will. The other method is to associate a filter directly to the column. This means that when the column element is used in an information link, the column filter is automatically applied.
Use column filters (hard filters) only when there is no reason to believe the user will ever want to use the column without a filter. Make sure the column description makes it clear to the user that a filter is being applied.
Use filter elements when you want to give users the option to use or not use the filter. Again, remember to write a good description of the filter.
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