Time Slider Filter ​

The Time Slider filter allows you to filter data by time ranges and animate changes in your data over time. This is particularly useful for visualizing trends, seasonal patterns, or how metrics evolve throughout a time period.

For example, a logistics company could use the time slider to show how delivery locations change throughout the day, or a retail business could visualize sales patterns over different months.

Overview ​

The time slider provides an interactive timeline that displays:

• The full range of dates/timestamps in your selected field
• A background chart showing a metric and aggregation for context
• Controls for filtering to specific time ranges
• Animation capabilities to automatically step through time periods

Configuration Options ​

Data Settings ​

Time Field ​

Select the date or timestamp field from your data source that you want to filter by. This field must be one of Snowflake's Date & Time data types.

Metric Field (Background Chart) ​

Choose a numeric field to display as a background chart on the timeline. This provides visual context about how values change over time.

Aggregation Type ​

Select how to aggregate the metric field for the background chart:

• Sum: Add up all values in each time period
• Average: Calculate the mean value
• Count: Count the number of records
• Minimum: Show the smallest value
• Maximum: Show the largest value
• Median: Show the middle value

Filter Range ​

You can set the active time range in two ways:

1. Interactive dragging: Click and drag on the timeline to select a range
2. Manual selection: Use the date/time pickers to specify exact start and end times

The selected range will filter all connected layers and components to only show data within that time period.

Animation Settings ​

The time slider can animate through time periods, automatically updating the filtered range. This creates a dynamic visualization showing how your data changes over time.

Animation Modes ​

• Sliding: The time window slides forward continuously through the timeline. The duration of the window remains constant while it moves through time.

  • Example: A 7-day window sliding through an entire year of data

• Step: Jumps from one distinct period to the next without overlapping

  • Example: Moving from January to February to March, showing each month separately

• Cumulative: Builds up data over time from the start date. The start date stays fixed while the end date advances, showing accumulated values.

  • Example: Showing year-to-date sales that grow as time progresses

Animation Speed ​

Control how quickly the animation advances through time periods. The speed can be adjusted to match your presentation needs - slower for detailed analysis, faster for overview demonstrations.

Apply to Layers and Components ​

Select which map layers and data components should be filtered by the time slider:

• Any map layer using the same data source
• Data components (Big Numbers, Bar Charts, Histograms) using the same data source

This allows you to create focused temporal filters that only affect relevant visualizations on your map.

Saving Time Slider Settings ​

When you save a map with a time slider:

• The time slider configuration is preserved
• The current time range selection is not saved, unless 'Save Active Filters' is selected in settings
• Animation mode and speed settings are saved
• Users can press play to view the animation with pre-configured settings
• Users can adjust the time range even in read-only mode

Use Cases ​

Here are some examples of how the time slider can be used:

• Delivery Services: Visualize how delivery locations change throughout the day, showing peak hours and quiet periods
• Retail Analysis: Track sales patterns over months or years to identify seasonal trends
• Event Analysis: Show the progression of events over time, such as the spread of a marketing campaign
• Fleet Management: Animate vehicle locations throughout a day to understand route patterns
• Real Estate: Display how property listings change over time in different neighborhoods

Best Practices ​

• Choose a background metric that provides meaningful context for your time range (for example, showing order count when filtering delivery locations)
• Use a 'Custom Discrete' color scheme to ensure that the color ranges are fixed as the selected range changes.
• Use Cumulative mode to show growth patterns and total accumulation over time
• Use Sliding mode to maintain a consistent time window while moving through historical data
• Use Step mode to compare distinct time periods side-by-side
• Set animation speed based on your audience - slower for presentations, faster for exploration
• Combine with other filters to create complex time-based queries