Filtering a Lookup Matrix with Descriptive (Non-Numeric) Values

Author: Helen Khoshnaw

Date: November 5, 2025

Audience: Everyone

Environment Details: Jama Connect®

Summary

This article walks you through the steps on how to filter a lookup matrix that has descriptive (non-numeric) values, such as  “Low, Medium, High”, configured. 

Solution

When creating filters, the system expects numeric values. However, the lookup matrix may use descriptive values such as “Low, Medium, High”. To work around this, create a separate filter for each possible combination in the lookup matrix. In other words, you'll need to create one filter for every pairing of values between the two picklist fields - one on the x-axis and one on the y-axis.

For example, if you have:

• X-axis picklist values: Low, Medium, High
• Y-Axis picklist values: Single, Double, Triple

You would create a separate filter for each combination, such as:

• Low & Single
• Low & Double
• Low & Triple
• Medium & Single
• Medium & Double
• …and so on, until all combinations are covered.

Please refer to the example provided below.

1. Below is an example matrix.

2. Below is a filter for one of the combinations.

   X-axis picklist value = Low

   Y-axis picklist value = Double

3. Below are the results of that combination.

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