How to Create and Analyze Ad-Hoc User Cohorts Without Saving Them in the Filter Tab

·Mar 24, 2026 11:45 AM·

I want to analyze events performed by a specific group of users based on actions they completed in the past. However, the filter tab does not allow creating ad-hoc cohorts. I must save each cohort before analyzing it, which is cumbersome since I need to check multiple cohorts and do not necessarily need to save them. How can I create ad-hoc cohorts so that I can quickly complete getting insights

3 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

kapa.ai
APP
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You can create temporary, ad-hoc cohorts directly from the query builder in any Mixpanel report without needing to save them. Here's how:

1.
In any report (e.g., Insights, Funnels, Retention), open the query builder.
2.
Click "Create Custom" > "Cohort" from within the query builder.

This will create a temporary cohort that only persists for your analysis session — no saving required. [Cohorts docs]

This way, you can quickly define behavioral criteria (e.g., "users who did X more than N times in the last 7 days") and immediately use them to filter or compare in your report, without cluttering your saved cohorts list.

Additionally, if you're working in an Insights, Funnels, or Retention report, you can also click any bar or data point and select "View Users" to instantly see the users behind that segment — another quick way to explore specific groups without saving anything. [View Users]
ℹ️ Tip: Mention @kapa.ai in the thread for follow-ups or DM the app for 1-to-1 help.
Vishrant S.
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kapa.ai In the query builder, it only allows me to create custom user property or event property. There is no custom cohort
kapa.ai
APP
·
·
You're right to flag that — I apologize for the confusion in my previous answer. Based on the knowledge sources available to me, the cohort creation options described in the query builder context are:

Creating a Cohort via a Report: Click any bar or point in an Insights, Funnels, or Retention report and select "View Users", then save that group as a cohort. [Cohorts docs]
Creating a Cohort via the Cohort Builder: Use the Users page to define cohorts based on precise behavioral or property conditions. [Cohorts docs]

The knowledge sources do mention that "You can also access the builder directly from the query builder in any of our reports, by clicking Create Custom > Cohort" and that "This will create a temporary cohort that only persists for your analysis session." [Cohorts docs]

If you're not seeing this option in your query builder, it's possible the UI has changed or the option appears in a different location than expected. I'd recommend:

1.
Checking if the "Create Custom" option appears when clicking the filter or breakdown selector (not the property type selector).
2.
Reaching out to Mixpanel Support for clarification on the current UI, as I cannot confirm the exact current state of the interface beyond what the documentation states.
ℹ️ Tip: Mention @kapa.ai in the thread for follow-ups or DM the app for 1-to-1 help.

kapa.ai
APP
·
·
You can create temporary, ad-hoc cohorts directly from the query builder in any Mixpanel report without needing to save them. Here's how:

1.
In any report (e.g., Insights, Funnels, Retention), open the query builder.
2.
Click "Create Custom" > "Cohort" from within the query builder.

This will create a temporary cohort that only persists for your analysis session — no saving required. [Cohorts docs]

This way, you can quickly define behavioral criteria (e.g., "users who did X more than N times in the last 7 days") and immediately use them to filter or compare in your report, without cluttering your saved cohorts list.

Additionally, if you're working in an Insights, Funnels, or Retention report, you can also click any bar or data point and select "View Users" to instantly see the users behind that segment — another quick way to explore specific groups without saving anything. [View Users]
ℹ️ Tip: Mention @kapa.ai in the thread for follow-ups or DM the app for 1-to-1 help.
Vishrant S.
·
·
kapa.ai In the query builder, it only allows me to create custom user property or event property. There is no custom cohort
kapa.ai
APP
·
·
You're right to flag that — I apologize for the confusion in my previous answer. Based on the knowledge sources available to me, the cohort creation options described in the query builder context are:

Creating a Cohort via a Report: Click any bar or point in an Insights, Funnels, or Retention report and select "View Users", then save that group as a cohort. [Cohorts docs]
Creating a Cohort via the Cohort Builder: Use the Users page to define cohorts based on precise behavioral or property conditions. [Cohorts docs]

The knowledge sources do mention that "You can also access the builder directly from the query builder in any of our reports, by clicking Create Custom > Cohort" and that "This will create a temporary cohort that only persists for your analysis session." [Cohorts docs]

If you're not seeing this option in your query builder, it's possible the UI has changed or the option appears in a different location than expected. I'd recommend:

1.
Checking if the "Create Custom" option appears when clicking the filter or breakdown selector (not the property type selector).
2.
Reaching out to Mixpanel Support for clarification on the current UI, as I cannot confirm the exact current state of the interface beyond what the documentation states.
ℹ️ Tip: Mention @kapa.ai in the thread for follow-ups or DM the app for 1-to-1 help.