Resolving Dashboard Linking Issues with Blank/Null URL Parameters in Bold BI

When working with dashboard linking, it is important to ensure that the URL parameters are correctly formatted. One common issue arises when a blank or null value is passed in the URL parameter, which can prevent dynamic linking from functioning as expected. This article outlines a solution to this problem using the NULL and Blank Replace feature.

Understanding the Issue

Dynamic linking between dashboards often relies on the proper configuration of URL parameters to pass information seamlessly. However, when a parameter is blank or null, it can disrupt the functionality of the linked dashboard. For example, a parameter that is expected to filter data may fail if the value is not defined, causing unexpected errors or no results to display.

• For example, the linked dashboard widget containing null data is displayed as follows:
  
  
• In the main dashboard, enable the linking option with the Linked Dashboard URL and the following parameters:
  
  
• When clicking on the grid row and selecting the linking option to navigate to the linked dashboard, it will be displayed with errors as shown below:
  
  

Steps to Resolve the Issue

1. Access the Data Source Editing Page: Navigate to the data source editing page for both the main dashboard and the linked dashboard data source.

2. Use the Replace Value Option:

   • In the data source page, locate the option to replace blank values.
     
     
     
     
     
   • Replace the (Blanks) value to a specific text value, such as “blanks” or any other data that suits your needs.
     
     

3. Apply and Save Changes:

   • After making the changes, click on the Update and Apply button to replace the blank/Null data.
   • Ensure that you save the changes in both the main dashboard and the linked dashboard.

4. Update the URL:

   • Use the newly published URL of the linked dashboard when connecting it to the main dashboard.
   • Pass the parameters in the main dashboard as required.
     
     

By following these steps, the dashboard linking should function correctly, even when a blank value is passed in the URL parameter.