← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

Charting a filtered table

A chart built from a filtered table plots only the visible rows, so applying or clearing a filter updates the chart. Hidden rows stay out unless Show data in hidden rows is on.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 68

Understanding Charting a filtered table in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

What it does: Using the filter arrow on a heading is the interaction: it hides non-matching rows, and the chart redraws with only the Red rows. Clearing the filter makes every row visible, so the chart updates to show the full data set again. Filtered-out rows are hidden, and by default charts skip hidden rows. They are not greyed out; they simply do not appear.

Common mistakes: A chart built from a filtered table plots only the visible rows. After filtering to Red, the chart shows only the Red rows. Filtering hides rows without deleting them, so clearing the filter brings them back. Deleting rows removes the data. The line should be 'Filter Region to North'.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 413–424) and word search (Modules 413–451).

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Learning
Duo
You filter a table to show only the 'Tech' category. What happens to a column chart built from that table?
The chart updates to plot only the visible Tech rowsThe chart keeps plotting every row, including the hidden ones
Matches
Filter the table to Year 9, but the chart still shows Year 10 columns (Show data in hidden rows is ticked)
↓
Show data in hidden rows is turned on, so hidden Year 10 rows are still plotted. Untick it so only visible rows appear.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Plot visible cells only
Meaning
A chart built from a filtered table plots only the visible rows, so applying or clearing a filter updates the chart. Hidden rows stay out unless Show data in hidden rows is on.
Practice
Hidden and Empty Cells > Show data in hidden rows
Testing
Gaps
chart.showHiddenRows ←
Check Answer
Spots
3Filter House to Red
4Chart still shows all rows

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Quick Questions

1. You filter a table to show only the 'Tech' category. What happens to a column chart built from that table?
A. The chart updates to plot only the visible Tech rows ✓
B. The chart keeps plotting every row, including the hidden ones
By default a chart plots only visible cells. Filtering hides rows, so the chart redraws using just the rows that remain.
2. Which action makes the chart show all the data again?
A. Clear the filter so the hidden rows come back ✓
B. Delete the chart and leave the filter on
Clearing the filter makes every row visible again, so the chart updates to plot all of them. There is no need to rebuild the chart.
3. How does a filter button on a table help make a chart interactive?
A. The filter button changes the chart colours but never the data
B. Choosing a different value in the filter changes which rows the chart plots ✓
Each filter choice changes the visible rows, and the chart follows. This lets the viewer explore the data without editing the chart.
4. Which statement about hidden rows is true with default chart settings?
A. Hidden rows are plotted but shown in grey
B. Hidden rows are not plotted on the chart ✓
Filtered-out rows are hidden, and by default charts skip hidden rows. They are not greyed out; they simply do not appear.
5. Which setting makes a chart keep plotting rows that a filter has hidden?
A. Show data in hidden rows ✓
B. Show data in filtered labels
In Select Data > Hidden and Empty Cells, ticking 'Show data in hidden rows and columns' makes the chart plot hidden rows too. Filtering then no longer changes the chart.

Match the Pairs

Plot visible cells only → Chart setting that leaves out filtered-out rows, so the chart shows only the rows still visible in the table
Show data in hidden rows and columns → Chart setting that makes the chart plot hidden rows too, so filtering no longer changes the chart
A filter button on a table heading lets the user choose which rows to show, which updates the chart → Filter arrow on the House heading, tick only Red
Clearing the filter brings the hidden rows back, so the chart plots all the data again → Data > Clear (or Clear Filter From House)
Filter the table to Year 9, but the chart still shows Year 10 columns (Show data in hidden rows is ticked) → Show data in hidden rows is turned on, so hidden Year 10 rows are still plotted. Untick it so only visible rows appear.
=SUM(B2:B50) used for the chart total after filtering to Red house → SUM counts hidden rows too, so the total will not match the filtered chart. Use =SUBTOTAL(109,B2:B50) to add visible rows only.

Key Term

Plot visible cells only
A chart built from a filtered table plots only the visible rows, so applying or clearing a filter updates the chart. Hidden rows stay out unless Show data in hidden rows is on.

Fill in the Blanks

1. chart.source ← filteredTable chart.showHiddenRows ← FALSE
Hint: Type the Boolean value that keeps hidden rows out of the chart.
2. applyFilter(table, "Region", "North") chart.update()
Hint: Type the function name that hides the rows that do not match, so the chart shows only the visible rows.
3. clearFilter(table) chart.plot(table.allRows)
Hint: Type the table property that holds every row once the filter is cleared.
4. IF showHiddenRows = FALSE THEN plot(visibleRows) ELSE plot(allRows)
Hint: Type the keyword that starts the branch used when hidden rows are shown.
5. ON CLICK northButton applyFilter(table, "Region", "North") chart.refresh()
Hint: Type the event keyword that makes a filter button interactive when the student presses it.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Select A1:B9
B Insert column chart
C Filter House to Red
D Chart still shows all rows
Line D — A chart built from a filtered table plots only the visible rows. After filtering to Red, the chart shows only the Red rows.
Question 2
A Delete rows not in North
B Chart plots visible rows only
C Clear the filter
D Chart plots all rows again
Line A — Filtering hides rows without deleting them, so clearing the filter brings them back. Deleting rows removes the data. The line should be 'Filter Region to North'.
Question 3
A Create chart from table A1:C9
B Re-insert the chart each time
C Tick North only
D Chart updates automatically
Line B — The chart is linked to the table, so using the filter button updates it automatically. You do not need to rebuild it. The line should be 'Use filter button on Region'.
Question 4
A Click the chart
B Chart Title > Hidden and Empty
C Tick Show data in hidden rows
D Hidden rows are now plotted
Line B — The Show data in hidden rows setting is found under Select Data > Hidden and Empty Cells, not in the chart title options.
Question 5
A Filter Year to 2024
B Other years' rows are hidden
C Chart still plots hidden rows
D Clear filter: all rows return
Line C — By default a chart ignores hidden rows. After filtering, the hidden years are not plotted. The line should be 'Chart skips the hidden rows'.

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