A method and system for providing customized filters to restrict datasets retrieved from a database are described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a template data access query from a first user, identifying multiple data elements from database tables that are to be accessed according to the template data access query, creating a set of preliminary filters based on the multiple data elements, presenting to a second user the layout of a data presentation and some or all of the preliminary filters, and creating final filters using filter parameters specified by the second user for the preliminary filters. The final filters restrict the content to be retrieved from a database for the data presentation. The method further includes building for the second user the data presentation with the content that is retrieved from the database using the final filters.