A global filter allows data filtering using attributes across multiple Analysis Tools (ATs), by broadcasting semantic filter context objects. Upon selecting object attribute values, the filter context object is created with attribute names and values. A processing engine resolves the filter context object to a data object, and then subsequently to target data. A lateral filter finds related entities in a relational database, without having to maintain and/or duplicate all of the data into a graph database. The processing engine resolves lateral filters using an entity graph path calculation conducted in conjunction with the generation of a bootstrapped graph structure. That graph structure is constructed (bootstrapped) utilizing available database schematic information—e.g., pre-calculated (key) relations and metadata read from the relational database. From that information, relationships in the bootstrapped graph structure are determined. Possible paths between entities are used to generate an optimized SQL query to reach target data.