Filter events with block filters and drop filters

In some cases, you may find you've loaded incorrect data and want to filter it out from queries. Amplitude Data's drop filters feature allows you to remove specific event data from your charts at query time, while block filters prevent Amplitude Data from ingesting specific event or property data in the first place. 

Create a drop filter

In some cases, you may find you've loaded incorrect data and want to filter it out from queries. Amplitude Data's drop filters feature allows you to remove specific event data from your charts at query time. These events are not deleted, and they can be restored to your charts simply by editing or deleting the drop filter. Drop filters do not apply to data exports.

NOTE: As query-side filters that are not applied during data ingestion, drop filters do not affect your event volume limit.

To create a drop filter, follow these steps:

1. Make sure you’re on main, as filters are not accessible from any other branch

2. In the left-hand sidebar, click Filters, then select the Drop Filters tab.

3. Click + Create Drop Filter to open the Filter Configuration fly-out panel.

4. Select the environment where you’d like to apply this filter, then specify which event you want to drop.

5. Click Select property … to include any relevant properties that will refine your filter. For example, perhaps you want to filter out all purchase events that come from a specific geographical location. Simply select that location from the list of properties.
   
   NOTE: You must use exact strings to match values as you cannot use comparative operators (such as "Contains") for drop filters.
   
   

6. Specify the time range for the events you’d like Amplitude Data to drop-filter out.
   
   
   
   

7. When you’re ready, click Drop Data to initiate the drop filter.

If you want to edit or delete a drop filter, click on its name in the drop filter list. In the fly-out panel that appears on the right, make your edits and click Update Drop Filter.

NOTE: Drop filters do not affect the user activity view.

Create a block filter

You can also set up a block filter. This differs from a drop filter in that data filtered out by a drop filter is recoverable, while any data filtered out by a block filter cannot be recovered because it is never ingested in the first place.

You can use a block filter to block individual events or properties, but it’s especially useful for blocking data by IP address.

If you are using a block filter to block specific events or properties, you should also update your instrumentation so that it no longer sends the unwanted data.

To create a block filter, follow these steps:

1. Make sure you’re on main, as filters are not accessible from any other branch

2. In the left-hand sidebar, click Filters, then select the Block Filters tab.

3. Click + Create Block Filter to open the Filter Configuration fly-out panel.

4. Select the environment where you’d like to apply this filter.

5. Specify whether you want to filter events, event properties, or user properties.

6. Specify whether the filter will be applied on the basis of event or property name; IP address; or version. Then set the rest of the filter’s parameters.
   
   
   
   

7. When you’re ready, click Block Data to initiate the block filter.