Change The Default Date Time Filter Setting For All Forums — an archived discussion from the APG vNext support community.
About This Topic
This thread covers change the default date time filter setting for all forums in the context of APG vNext, the ASP.NET forum and community platform. The community includes APG developers and experienced administrators who can help with similar questions.
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Changing the Default Date/Time Filter for All Forums in APG vNext
APG vNext displays thread lists filtered by a date range (e.g. "Show threads from last 30 days"). The global default determines what visitors see first. This guide covers changing the system default and allowing per-forum overrides.
Change the Global Date Filter Default
<!-- web.config: default date filter in days -->
<add key="APG.Forum.DefaultDateFilter" value="365" />
<!-- Use 0 to show all threads regardless of date -->Configure Member Dropdown Options
<add key="APG.Forum.DateFilterOptions" value="1,7,30,90,365,0" />
<!-- 0 = "All Time" -->Per-Forum Override
-- Set specific default for announcement forum (show all):
UPDATE apg_Forums
SET DefaultDateFilter = 0
WHERE ForumID = @AnnouncementForumID;Persist Member Preference
<add key="APG.Forum.PersistDateFilterPreference" value="true" />Related Resources
Changing the Default Date/Time Filter in APG vNext Forums
By default, APG vNext forum thread lists show threads active within the last 30 days. Threads older than the filter threshold are hidden from the list view (though still accessible via search and direct URL). Changing the default filter window affects how "active" the forum appears to new visitors — a shorter window shows only very recent threads, while "All Time" shows the complete thread history.
Changing the Global Default Filter
<!-- web.config: set default thread age filter (days) -->
<add key="APG.Forum.DefaultDateFilter" value="30" />
<!-- Common values: 1, 7, 14, 30, 90, 365, 0 (0 = All Time) -->
<!-- Or in Admin Panel → Settings → Forums → Default Date Filter -->Per-Forum Date Filter Override
Individual forums can have their own default date filter, overriding the global setting:
-- Set a different date filter for a specific forum:
UPDATE apg_Forums
SET DefaultDateFilter = 90 -- Show last 90 days for this forum
WHERE ForumID = 5; -- Replace with your ForumIDMember-Controlled Filter Persistence
Members can change their thread date filter in the forum view, and APG vNext saves their preference in a cookie. If members complain that their filter keeps resetting to the default, the cookie may be expiring too quickly:
<add key="APG.Forum.FilterCookieDays" value="365" />
<!-- Store member's filter preference for up to 1 year -->Impact of Date Filter on Perceived Forum Activity
Forum administrators frequently debate the ideal default date filter setting. A restrictive filter (7 days) makes the forum look more active on slow weeks but hides historical content that new members would find valuable. An "All Time" filter shows everything but can be overwhelming for large forums with thousands of threads. The recommended approach for most communities is 30 days as the default, with a prominent "All threads" link for members who want full history. This balances discoverability of recent activity with access to the forum's knowledge base of older threads. Regularly reviewing thread activity metrics helps identify the right window for your specific community's posting frequency.
Date Filter Best Practices by Community Type
The optimal default date filter varies significantly by community type and posting frequency. High-volume communities (500+ posts per day) benefit from a 7-day default filter to keep thread lists manageable and focused on current activity. Low-volume communities (under 10 posts per day) should use a 90-day or All Time default to prevent the forum from appearing empty to new visitors — an empty-looking forum discourages new members from joining. Medium-volume communities typically use the default 30-day window, which works well for most use cases. Review your forum's posting frequency statistics quarterly and adjust the default filter to match your community's current activity level, as communities that grow quickly may need to shorten the filter window to maintain a manageable thread list for moderators and regular members alike.
Communicating Filter Changes to Members
If you change the default date filter from a long window (e.g., All Time) to a shorter one (e.g., 30 days), some members may be confused to find previously visible threads suddenly absent from the list. Post a brief forum announcement explaining the change and reminding members that they can always change their own filter setting in the thread list controls. Providing a link to the knowledge base article explaining how to use the date filter ensures members know how to access historical content that is now hidden from the default view. Transparency about configuration changes, even minor ones like filter defaults, builds trust with your community and reduces support tickets from members who notice the change.
Related Resources
Looking for more help? Browse the support forum or check the Knowledge Base.