---
title: "How do I create filter criteria?"
slug: "how-do-i-create-filter-criteria"
updated: 2026-06-10T11:26:23Z
published: 2026-06-10T11:26:23Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/how-do-i-create-filter-criteria"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cintra.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How do I create filter criteria?

Filters are one of the most important areas of **Cintra iQ**. They are used to select records that share a commonality. i.e. selection criteria, Payroll, Post. **Cintra iQ** allows you to create a filter that contains criteria that, once applied, tells the system to display specific records in the **Navigator**. The filter can also be applied to **Email Notifications**, **Letters** and **Listing Reports**.

**Go to Cintra iQ:**

- Lower right-hand corner > Filters > Record Filters window > Create/Open button > Create/Edit Record Definition window
- Menu bar > Definitions > Filters > Record Filters window >Create/Open button > Create/Edit Record Definition window

Use this method to view qualification expiry dates, perform regular analysis of sickness absences etc.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** The Date Offset function appears only when you have selected a date field from the Available Fields pane.

## To offset a date

Once you have selected the desired date field as the **Field Name** and the desired **Operator**, set the date offset.

1. Right-click in the **> Value** field. A menu appears. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001064495.png)
2. Select **Today**. The **Date Offset** function appears.
3. Select from the **Functions** drop down list: **Month Start**.
4. Click the **Add** button. The criteria appears in the **Expression** pane. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001064496.png)
5. Click the **OK** button. The **Date Offset** is saved

> [!NOTE]
> **Good to know:** I want to add criteria so that I can see all the Employment Records of the employees who are on the Sample Company Monthly payroll. Therefore I wish to create an expression like this:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001064497.png)

## To Select a Key Value:

Once you have selected the desired date field as the **Field Name** and the desired **Operator**, select the key value.

1. Right-click in the **> Value** field. A menu appears.
2. Choose Select Key Value. The Select Key Value pop up appears, which contains a list of the user defined entries.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001064498.png)
3. Select the desired name from the list.
4. Click the button. The name appears in the Value field. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001064499.png)
5. Click the **Add** button. The criteria appears in the Expression pane. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001064500.png)
6. Click the **OK** button. The criteria is saved.

## To add more criteria

1. Select the appropriate link.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** The **Link** drop down list appears above the **Field Name**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001064501.png)
2. Select the available field from the Available Fields pane or perform a Search.
3. The available field is highlighted and appears in the **Selected Fields** pane.
4. Click the **> Field Name** button. The selected available field is displayed as the field name.
5. Select the **Operator** from the drop down list.
6. Return to the **Available Fields** pane and select the next available field or perform a **Search**. The available field is highlighted and appears in the **Selected Field** pane.
7. Perform either of the following:
  - Click the **> Value** button.
  - Manually enter the value in the **> Value** field.
8. Click the **Add** button. The criteria appears in the **Expression** pane.
9. Continue to repeat the process until finished.
10. Click the **OK** button to save the filter. The filter appears in the **Records Filter** window and is ready to be tested. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001064502.png)