Navigating the Environment

Topics:

This topic introduces the WebFOCUS Business User Edition environment. It describes how to navigate the WebFOCUS Business User Edition (BUE) portal, the Administration Console, and InfoAssist+.

It is also important to understand that Manager users, Developers, Advanced users, and Basic users have different access to environment options. That access is determined by the group of users to which you are assigned.

x
Navigating the WebFOCUS Business User Edition Portal

Topics:

When you access the WebFOCUS Business User Edition (BUE), using the Sign-in page or browser URL, you are presented with the BUE Portal. From the portal, depending on your user role, you can create and edit content, view content that other users published or shared, create and edit personal pages, manage users, configure the system, upload files to the repository, connect to data and edit data, and access interactive help and instructional materials.

The main components of the BUE Portal include a Getting Started Page, Home Page, Resources tree, and Menu bar.

x
Getting Started Page

The Getting Started page, shown in the following image, is the first page that you see when you sign in to WebFOCUS BUE with the login and password that you created during the installation.

Getting Started Page

The Getting Started page provides access to resources that get you started with the software. You can access the Information Center, a series of videos, and the Upload wizard and Connect to Data wizard features.

Only Manager users can access this page.

x
Home Page

The Home page, which is shown in the following image, is the first page that you see when you sign in as a Basic User, Advanced User, Developer, or Group Administrator.

Home Page

The Welcome page has three sections that you can interact with:

  • Menu bar
  • Resources tree
  • Quick Links tab

The content in these sections varies, depending on your user type.

x
Menu Bar

The Menu bar is located in the upper-right section of the screen, inside the top banner. The following image shows the Menu bar that appears when you are signed in as a Manager.

Menu Bar

The Menu bar gives you access to the following options:

  • Change your password (click your username).
  • Tools:
    • View the status of deferred reports, and manage them.
    • Stop your outstanding interactive requests that are running.
    • Access Session Viewer, where you can visualize the exploratory analysis of the current web session.
    • Access the ReportCaster Status, where you view the status of your scheduled jobs and log reports.
  • Administration:
    • Access the Security Center, where you define users and groups and grant access permissions.
    • Access the Administration Console, where you configure, administer, and monitor the components of the WebFOCUS application.
    • Access the Reporting Server Console, where you can view and manage the server environment.
    • View and administer the private resources for groups and users.
    • Switch between Normal mode (seeing your own content) and Manager mode (managing other user content).
  • Open the Resources tree on the right side of the window, so you can manage content on Personal Pages.
  • Access the online Help, Information Center, a library of Help topics, self-service videos, Community, Information Builders Home page, as well as information about the WebFOCUS Business User Edition application, version, and available licenses.
  • Sign out
x
Resources Tree

The Resources tree, located on the left side of the Home page, contains your available resources, such as domains, folders, and content. It also contains functionality that allows you to save content as a favorite, or perform a Change Management import or export. The following image shows the Resources tree that appears when you are signed in to WebFOCUS Business User Edition.

Resource Tree

The resources are secured using the security model, that is folder-based, similar to that of desktop operating systems. The resources differ for every user. For example, the Basic User sees only public content.

The Resources tree contains the following nodes:

  • Domains. Lists the domains and folders that you have created. Yellow folders are published folders. Gray folders are unpublished.
  • Favorites. Lists the items that you have designated as Favorites.
  • Change Management. Lists the Import and Export facilities.
    • Import. Enables users to move a change package into an acceptance test.
    • Export. Enables a developer to move changes made to application files, to the user acceptance test environment.
x
Node Context Menu Options

Each node in the Resources tree has a shortcut menu. The available options include:

  • View. This option is only available for the Domains node, and includes:
    • Display By Title. Displays folders by title. The default display.
    • Display By Name. Displays folders by name.
  • New. This option is only available to managers, and includes:
    • Domain. Creates a new domain.
  • Refresh. Refreshes the tree. The option is available for all nodes.
  • Paste. Pastes the item under the applicable node.
  • Clear Favorites. Clears the Favorites list. This option is only available for the Favorites node.
x
Quick Links

The Quick Links on the Home page, include links for uploading or connecting to data, creating content, managing domains and users, and configuring your system. It also shows the name of the domain that is currently highlighted in the Resources tree. Whenever you navigate to a different domain, the Quick Links refresh to reflect the new active directory.

The available Quick Links also change depending on the user. Each user only sees the options that they have privileges to access. The following image shows an example of the Quick Links that are available for a Manager.

Quick Links

x
Understanding Domain Content

A domain node is the highest level of folder organization in the Resources tree. All of the domains that a user is authorized to access are displayed in the tree. Domains contain all of the components and content that you can create.

x
Selecting a Domain

A list of the domain folders, populated from the WebFOCUS Repository, appear in the Resources tree. The items you can access, and the options available to you, are permitted by the Manager of your environment. When the contents of a folder change, such as when you create and save a new report or a report is published, the Resources tree automatically refreshes. You can also use the Refresh button in the toolbar to update the Domain contents.

x
Identifying Types of Content in the Resources Tree

A domain can contain a wide range of items, including reports, charts, visualizations, documents, dashboards, Internet hyperlinks, schedules, and distribution lists.

These items are located in folders. Both the items and the folder may be private, published, or shared. If you are permitted to create your own reports, you also have the My Content folder. My Content may contain the Custom Reports, Shared Reports, and folders for each My Report report you created.

  • Published content. Domain content that is published is considered authoritative and has usually undergone quality assurance and testing before being published for the user community.
  • Private content. This content can be in the following forms:
    • My Content. Personal content created by a user. This content remains private to a user unless the user chooses to share it with others or unless an administrative user has the ability to manage private content for that user.
    • Other private content. Domain content which is not published. It is accessible only to its owner, which may be a specific user or a group.

When you create a folder, it is private content. Private content appears as a gray folder in the tree. If you share a folder, the folder includes a link icon and is available either to all users, specific groups, or users permitted to access the folder location. If you publish the folder, it appears as a yellow folder in the Resources tree and is available to all users.

x
Identifying Content in the Resources Tree

The icons located next to each item represent the item type. In the following table, the first column lists the icons, and the second column describes what they represent.

Icon

Identifies

Folder icon

Folder. Allows users to organize their private or published application content.

My Content Folder Icon

My Content folder. Provides the user with a location to create private reports, output, and schedules. This is created when the parent folder has the Auto create My Reports folder property selected and the user is permitted to create private content in a My Content folder. The private content within this folder cannot be published.

Reports image

Report procedure. Contains the core language commands to tell the Reporting Server how to create the report.

Visualization Icon

Visualization. Represents your data graphically, and is comprised of one or more visuals. Visuals can be charts, maps, or grids.

Graph Procedure Icon

Chart procedure. Contains the core language commands to tell the Reporting Server how to create the chart.

Document or Dashboard Icon

Document or dashboard. Customized document or dashboard that contains more than one item.

Schedule Icon

Schedule. Specifies when to run a report procedure, how to distribute the report (Email, FTP, Managed Reporting, Printer), and the destination to which the report will be distributed. This is available when licensed for the feature that creates schedules.

Distribution List Icon

Distribution List. Used with a ReportCaster schedule (Email, FTP, or Printer) to specify the email addresses, directory locations, or printers to distribute.

Microsoft Office Excel Worksheet Icon

Microsoft® Office Excel Worksheet

Adobe Acrobat PDF File Icon

Adobe® Acrobat PDF file

GIF Image Icon

GIF image file

HTML File Icon

HTML file

JPG Image File Icon

JPG image file

PNG Image FIle Icon

PNG image file

SVG Image File Icon

SVG image file

Internet Hyperlinks

Webpage or a URL to run a report

The following topics describe the shortcut menu options for each type of item.

x
Options for Folders and Items

When you right-click an item, the options displayed in the shortcut menu are determined by the selected item type, and the tools and features you are permitted to access.

x
Reference: Options for Folders

The following options are available when you right-click a folder:

New

Provides access to the following options:

Report

Opens InfoAssist+, where you can create a report.

Chart

Enables you to create a chart in InfoAssist+.

Document

Enables you to create a document in InfoAssist+.

Visualization

Opens InfoAssist+, where you can create visualizations.

Shortcut

Creates a shortcut to a Repository Resource or a Master File.

URL

Launches the Create URL dialog box, where you can create a link to a webpage.

Distribution List

Launches the Distribution List tool, where you can create distribution lists.

Folder

Creates a new folder.

Duplicate

Makes a copy of the item with an underscore and number appended to the title, for example, duplicating Sales_Report creates Sales_Report_1 in the same location. The number is incremented each time a duplicate is created.

Cut, Copy, and Paste

Cuts, copies, or pastes the folder and its contents.

Delete

Deletes the folder and its contents.

Change Title

Launches a dialog box, where you can change the title of a folder. The Title is the value that displays in the tree and does not change the folder Name value.

Refresh

Refreshes the content of the folder.

Upload

Enables you to upload a data file, document, or image.

Metadata

Enables you to create or edit a synonym.

Publish/Unpublish

Allows or suppresses public access to the content.

Show/Hide

Shows or hides the item.

Security

Provides access to the following option:

Owner

Allows you to set the resource owner, either Published (no specific owner), or a specific group or user.

Properties

Shows the properties of the folder.

Note: The options available for a folder are also available for other types of items.

x
Reference: Options for Content

Like folders, content, such as report, chart, dashboard, and visualization, have options that include the Duplicate, Cut, Copy, Delete, Change Title, Publish/Unpublish, Show/Hide, Security, and Properties options.

Note: Documents and dashboards have the same options as report and chart procedures with the exception of Publish/Unpublish.

Report and chart procedures also include the following right-click options:

Run

Runs the report procedure or schedule.

Run Deferred

Submits a report procedure or a schedule for deferred execution. This option is not available for visualizations.

Run With SQL Trace

Runs a report and includes an SQL trace of the report results. This option is not available for visualizations.

Schedule

Schedules a report procedure. Scheduling options include Email, Printer, and Repository. This option is not available for visualizations.

Edit

Edits an item with the tool that was used to create it.

Add to Favorites

Adds the item to the Favorites folder.

Note: The options available for content are also available for other item types.

x
Reference: Options for Schedules

Like folders, Schedule options include the Duplicate, Cut, Copy, Delete, Change Title, Security, and Properties options.

Like content, Schedule options include the Edit and Run options.

Schedules also include the following right-click option:

View Log

Launches the Schedule Log Options dialog box from which you can select whether to view the most recent log report for the schedule or specify a time range for which to obtain log reports.

x
Reference: Options for Distribution Lists

Like folders, Distribution List options include the Duplicate, Cut, Copy, Delete, Change Title, Publish/Unpublish, Show/Hide, Security, and Properties options.

Like content, Distribution List options include the Edit option. The Edit option invokes the Distribution List tools.

x
Reference: Options for URLs

Like folders, URL options include the Duplicate, Cut, Copy, Delete, Change Title, Publish/Unpublish, Show/Hide, Show/Hide, Share/Unshare, Share with, Security, and Properties options.

Like content, URL options include the Edit, and Add to Favorites options.

URLs also include the following right-click option:

View

Enables you to launch the URL link.

x
Reference: Options for Excel Workbooks, PDF, and Image Files

Like folders, these options include the Duplicate, Cut, Copy, Delete, Change Title, Publish/Unpublish, Show/Hide, Security, and Properties options.

These files also include the following right-click option:

View

Enables you to download a copy of the file to your browser, which will launch the File Download dialog box to allow you to open or save the file. If you choose open, the file will open in its corresponding application.

x
Reference: Options for Favorites

These files include the following right-click option:

Remove Favorite

Removes the Favorite from the list.

x
Viewing Folder and Item Properties

Authorized users can select the Properties option to review information about a folder or item, including when it was created, last modified, title, name, and settings that control the Reporting Server and applications it will access. There are also settings that control the functionality available to users when accessing the folder or running or scheduling an item.

The following image displays the Properties dialog box for an item.

Main Properties Tab

The Main Properties tab includes the following settings:

  • Language. Provides a list of languages that you can select.
  • View All. Opens the Language Properties dialog box, where you can select a language.
  • Title. Displays the value in the tree, so users use to identify the content within the folder.
  • Folder/File Name. Displays a unique reference to the folder or item within the folder. Select the Change Name check box to change the name of the folder or item.
  • Summary. Provides a detailed explanation with additional information about the folder or item.
  • Parent Folder. Shows the previous folder in the folder path of the WebFOCUS repository.
  • Full Path. Displays full path of the folder or item in the WebFOCUS repository.
  • Created On. Identifies the date the folder or item was created.
  • Created By. Identifies the user who created the folder or item.
  • Last Modified On. Shows the date the folder or item was last modified.
  • Last Accessed On. Shows the date the folder or item was last opened.
  • Last Accessed By. Identifies the user who last opened the folder or item.
  • Properties. Shows a string of name value pairs that identify the properties of the folder or item.
  • Size. Displays N/A bytes for folders. For items, displays the size in bytes.
  • Run. Displays N/A, as this property is not applicable to folders. For items, displays Immediate.
  • Sort Order. Specifies the order to list the folder in the tree or list items within a folder.
  • Status. Indicates whether the folder or item is Published or Private. Private will also display the owner information.

Authorized users can view or edit the access rules, effective policy, or sharing permissions by clicking Security.

The Details tab, shown in the following image, displays the components of the item in a tree structure to allow a user to review the request information prior to running or opening the item in a tool. The tree structure displays the request components, such as folders, Master Files, Data Elements, Sorts, Conditions, Expressions, Output Formats, and Joins, which can be opened to show the fields referenced.

Details tab

The Advanced tab, shown in the following image, allows you to set default height and width values for the item, when it is displayed inside a portal at run time.

Advanced tab

x
Navigating the Administration Console

Topics:

The Administration Console contains four tabs and a menu bar that help you navigate to its settings and other features.

These tabs organize administration activities into the following categories:

Options on the menu bar connect you to such basic tasks as reviewing WebFOCUS BUE and third party licensing information, clearing the cache, closing the Administration Console, or opening Help.

To update or review an Administration Console setting, click a tab, and then click the folder or page icon from the main menu on your selected tab. The main window refreshes and the individual settings assigned to your selected page become available.

x
Navigating the Configuration Tab

The Configuration tab contains settings and features that describe Reporting Server connections and other application settings, which are listed and described in the following table.

Folder [Page]

Available Functionality

Reporting Servers

The Reporting Servers subfolders contain the tools that manage all connections from the client to remote servers. Using the following sub-folders, you can:

  • Server Connections. Add and change Remote Services settings. In the Business User Edition, this feature is limited to the main reporting server, EDASERVE.
  • Alternate Server Mappings. Configure alternate mappings to individual Remote Servers. This feature is not available in the Business User Edition.

Configuration

[Application Settings]

Pages in the Application Settings folder of the Configuration tab manage settings for the WebFOCUS BUE application. Pages in this folder include settings for the following functional areas:

  • Change Management
  • Deferred Reporting
  • Parameter Prompting

Configuration

[Custom Settings]

The Custom Settings page of the Configuration tab contains a text-based input field where you can define advanced customization settings for the Client. Using this page, you can:

  • Customize Client settings.
  • Create a Client site profile.
  • Create a Client universal profile.

Configuration

[NLS Settings]

The NLS Settings page of the Configuration tab contains National Language Support settings.

Configuration

[Dynamic Language Switch]

The Dynamic Language Switch page of the Configuration tab contains a list of languages that can be included in this feature.

In the Business User Edition, Dynamic Language Switch settings are stored in the ibimultilanguage.js file located in the drive:/ibi/WebFOCUS_BUE82/WebFOCUS/ibi_html/javaassist/intl directory.

Configuration

[Redirection Settings]

The Redirection Settings page of the Configuration tab contains settings that manage the redirection of report output.

Configuration

[InfoAssist+ Properties]

The InfoAssist+ Properties page of the Configuration tab contains properties that configure reporting options in the InfoAssist+ reporting tool.

x
Navigating the Security Tab

The Security tab contains internal and external security settings, which are listed and described in the following table.

Folder [Page]

Available Functionality

Security Configuration

[Internal]

The Internal page of the Security tab contains login and password settings for authentication and authorization managed within WebFOCUS BUE.

Security Configuration

[External]

The External page of the Security tab contains settings that define the method and location of authentication and authorization activities managed by third-party applications outside of WebFOCUS BUE.

x
Navigating the ReportCaster Tab

When you click the ReportCaster tab, the ReportCaster Server Status page opens, by default. Features on that page identify the current status of ReportCaster Server operations.

x
Navigating the Diagnostics Tab

The Diagnostics tab contains settings and features that describe system performance and activities, which are listed and described in the following table.

Folder [Page]

Available Functionality

Diagnostics

The Diagnostics section of the Administration Console contains the following functional areas:

  • Client Verification. Displays your directory permissions and the status of your ability to perform common WebFOCUS and WebFOCUS Client operations.
  • HTTP Request Info. Displays information about HTTP request headers.
  • JVM Property Info. Displays information about your Java VM environment.
  • Session Monitor. Displays session monitor events and links to detailed traces.
  • Log Files. Displays links to WebFOCUS log files.

x
Reviewing Version Information

Topics:

The About WebFOCUS page displays information about the release you are using and the optional components installed with it, as shown in the following image.

You can use the information on this page to identify your current product release and service pack when corresponding with the Information Builders Customer Support team.

When you click About WebFOCUS, the following information appears in the main window:

Edition. Product edition, for example, WebFOCUS Business User Edition.

Product Release. Release number, for example, 8.2.

Service Pack. Service pack number, for example, 0.0.

Package Name. Installation file package name, for example, wb022316a.

Release ID. Product release number, for example, 8200.

Build/GEN Number. Specific product build number, for example, 15.

Build/GEN Date. Date and time the build number was generated, for example, February 23, 2016 10:28:10 PM EST.

Application Server. Application Server, for example, Apache Tomcat/8.0.21.

This version of the About WebFOCUS page, that opens from the Diagnostics tab, is only available to those users whose privileges allow them to open and review the Administration Console.

However, the information on this page is also available to those users whose privileges allow them to view the About WebFOCUS Business Intelligence window. To open this other window, in the BUE Portal, on the Menu bar, click Help, and then click About.

x
Reviewing Client Verification

The Client Verification page displays the current status of client configuration and application settings. When you open this page, the client automatically conducts the test required to verify that configuration and application settings are open and available.

Settings marked pass are available for use. Settings marked fail are not available for use.

The automated verification process includes checking web server aliases and directory permissions for each type of client communication mode (CGI, WFServlet, or ISAPI).

The Client verification tools, by default, place the verification logs in the drive:\ibi\WebFOCUS_BUE82\WebFOCUS\logs directory. These tools test read, write, and remove permissions for the logs directory. They also test read and write permissions for the drive:\ibi\WebFOCUS_BUE82\WebFOCUS\config directory.

To test a Reporting Server connection and the current status of the Graph or Table functionality it can deliver, you must open the Configuration tab, and right-click the icon for the Reporting Server you wish to test. All three tests are available on the shortcut menu assigned to each server icon.

x
HTTP Request Headers and JVM Property Information

The Diagnostics tab also contains information about HTTP request headers and your Java VM environment.

  • Settings on the HTTP Request Info page display information about the HTTP or HTTPS headers returned to your browser. This is useful for troubleshooting and configuring HTTP headers, especially if you integrate web or application server security with WebFOCUS BUE, or if your web or application server uses virtual hosts (HTTP headers).
  • Settings on the JVM Property Info page display information about your Java VM environment. This is useful for troubleshooting and configuring the Java environment for WebFOCUS BUE web applications and for resolving memory or resource issues.
x
Navigating the InfoAssist+ Interface

Topics:

 

InfoAssist+ provides an intelligent, flexible layout for creating reports, charts, visualizations, and documents.

The application window provides intuitive menus and toolbars, a versatile ribbon that provides access to specialized groups for different functional areas of report design, a taskbar for selecting output, and a status bar for directing output.

The application window also provides a resources area for selecting and sorting data, and a multi-faceted results area that can display report design, a preview of report output, or actual report output.

x
InfoAssist+ Application Window

The components of the InfoAssist+ Application window are shown in the following image.

InfoAssist Application Window With Annotations

The main interface components are explained as follows:

  1. Application button. Provides access to the Application menu of procedure-related commands.
  2. Quick Access Toolbar. Displays frequently-used commands, such as New, Open, Save, Undo, Redo, View code, Run, and Preview, in a toolbar that remains visible. For more information, see Quick Access Toolbar.
  3. Ribbon. Displays the commands you need to create reports, charts, visualizations, and documents. It also displays the Help menu. For details, see Ribbon.
  4. Help. Provides access to the online technical content for InfoAssist+ in a new browser window.
  5. Resources panel. Displays the Data pane, Query pane, and Filter pane.
  6. Canvas. Displays the results of your report. In Live Preview mode, the canvas displays a preview of the file as it is developed.

    Depending on the type of file that you are developing, the canvas may display differently. For example, when creating a document, the canvas includes rulers around the development area. This is to assist you in placing the components on to the document.

  7. Navigation taskbar. Displays groups and icons that provide different views and quick access to all active reports and report output. For details, see Using the Navigation Taskbar.
  8. Status bar. Provides an output format button that you click to see the selected format and an output target button that you click to view the selected option for displaying new output windows or tabs. For more information, see Using the Status Bar.
x
Application Main Menu

In the upper-left corner of the InfoAssist+ interface, click the IA button IA Button to open the Application main menu.

You can run the following commands from the Application main menu:

  • New. Opens the InfoAssist+ splash screen, where you can create a new report, chart, visualization, or document. The exact functionality of the New command depends on your current InfoAssist+ session.

    When you open a new session of InfoAssist+ and then click New, a new report is created. You are prompted to choose a data source.

  • Open. Opens an existing report, chart, visualization, or document.
  • Save. Saves a report, chart, visualization, or document.
  • Save As. Saves a report, chart, visualization, or document with a new name.
  • Run. Runs a report, chart, visualization, or document.
  • Run Deferred. Submits a report, chart, or document for processing in the background while you continue to work on other tasks.
  • Close. Closes the currently active report, chart, visualization, or document.
  • Recent Items. Displays recent reports, charts, visualizations, and documents and those items that have been pinned to the menu. The Recent Items area of the InfoAssist+ Application main menu is shown in the following image.

    Recent Items

    Pinned reports, charts, visualizations, and documents are represented by a blue pinBlue Pinicon. Pinned items appear at the top of the list in alphabetical order.

    Recent reports, charts, visualizations, and documents are represented by a sideways blue pinSideways Blue Pinicon. Recent items appear below the separator bar in the order in which they were created, with the most recently created item at the top.

    You can pin important reports, charts, visualizations, and documents to the top of the Recent Reports section of the Application main menu for quick and easy access. To promote a recent report to pinned report, click the sideways blue pin icon. The icon turns upright and the report is moved to the pinned report area of the Recent Items window, where it stays until it is unpinned.

    To demote a pinned report, click the blue pin icon. The icon turns sideways and the report is moved below the separator bar.

    A shortcut menu is available when right-clicking a recent item, as shown in the following image.

    Recent Items Context Menu

    The options in the menu are:

    • Open. Opens the selected report, chart, visualization, or document.
    • Pin to list. Pins or unpins a recent report, chart, visualization, or document to the pinned reports list above the separator bar.
    • Remove from list. Unpins a pinned report, chart, visualization, or document from the pinned reports list.
    • Clear unpinned list. Clears all unpinned reports, charts, visualization, or documents from the Recent Items list.
  • Options. Opens the Options window to customize your user preferences.
  • Exit. Exits the application.
x
Reference: Open Dialog Box

The Open dialog box displays when you launch InfoAssist+. It also displays when you join and blend data. You can use this dialog box to do the following:

  • Select data sources for creating reports, charts, visualizations, and documents.
  • Select data sources for joining and blending data.
  • Configure data adapters for connecting to an existing database and creating synonyms.
  • Upload user data.

The Open dialog box contains the following options:

Connect to Data

Opens the Connect to Data wizard, where you can configure a Data Adapter to connect to an existing database and create synonyms.

Upload Data

Opens the Upload wizard, where you can upload user data from a machine to which you have access. This data can be used with WebFOCUS reporting.

Open

Opens the selected Master File.

x
Quick Access Toolbar

The Quick Access Toolbar provides access to the most commonly used functions. It is located to the right of the Application main menu button and is always visible no matter which options are selected.

  • Undo and Redo. The Undo icon undoes your last action. The Redo icon repeats your last action.

    The Undo icon is enabled (blue) when there is an action to undo. Otherwise, the icon is unavailable (gray). The Redo icon is enabled (blue) when there is an action to redo. Otherwise, the icon is unavailable (gray).

    For example, if you add a database field to a report, the Undo icon turns blue. You can now click the Undo icon to remove the database field from the report. The Undo icon turns gray, and the Redo icon turns blue. To restore the field to the report, click the blue Redo icon.

    You can also press Ctrl+Z to undo an action, or Ctrl+Y to redo an action.

    You can undo and redo up to 25 actions per session. InfoAssist+ maintains the undo and redo list of actions even when you switch between reports.

    When a dialog box is open in the application window, you cannot use the Undo and Redo icons. However, when you click OK and close the dialog box, the icons become available for use. With a single click of Undo, you can undo all the actions that you performed in the dialog box, and you can reinstate them with a single click of Redo.

  • View code. View the underlying code for the report.
  • Run. Click the Run button to run a report, chart, visualization, or document immediately. Click the down arrow to open the Run menu, which contains the following additional options:
    • Preview. Runs the report, chart, or document in the selected format with the limited number of records as set in the Design group on the Home tab.
    • SQL Trace. Returns the SQL commands for the request.
    • SQL Preview Trace. Returns the SQL commands for the Live Preview run.
x
Ribbon

The ribbon is a rectangular area of distinct groups of buttons that spans the top of the InfoAssist+ application window.

The ribbon is contextual and changes depending on the type of file that you are developing. For example, in Chart mode, the ribbon is made up of nine tabs, whereas when working in Visualization mode, the ribbon consists of five tabs. Each tab contains a subset of InfoAssist+ functionality organized in logically-related groups of controls and commands graphically represented by distinctive icons.

x
Working With the Ribbon

The ribbon contains two types of arrow-based buttons. The first type of button opens a menu when you click it. The Orientation button is an example of this type of button. Clicking the Orientation button opens a menu of options, as shown in the following image.

Orientation Button

The second type of button is a split button. Clicking the left side of the split button performs a default action. Clicking the down arrow, on the right side of the button, opens a menu of options. The Header & Footer button is an example of a split button. It is shown in the following image.

Header and Footer Button

Clicking the Header & Footer button on the left opens the Header & Footer dialog box. Clicking the down arrow on the right opens a menu of options.

Some options open dialog boxes of additional commands and option lists.

The ribbon displays all controls and commands using different sized icons and groups, depending on the size of the monitor and application window.

When you reduce the size of the application window, some groups are collapsed into single icons as determined by the amount of available space.

When a group is collapsed into a single icon, the individual icons are removed from view, but are still available. Clicking a collapsed group icon restores the group to its normal full size and displays all of the individual icons.

When expanding a collapsed group, the ribbon collapses a neighboring group to make enough room to expand the selected group.

When an icon, button, or option in a menu or dialog box appears dimmed, that functionality is not available for that report as it currently exists. Some functionality is available for reports only, charts only, visualizations only, or documents only.

In some situations, selecting one or more options makes other options incompatible with the previously selected ones. As a result, the incompatible options are dimmed and unavailable for selection. InfoAssist+ automatically makes incompatible options unavailable as you create and modify a report.

Note: If you do not have access to a particular option, contact your administrator.

x
Home Tab

The Home tab contains the most commonly used commands and options, which you can use when developing reports, charts, documents, or visualizations. The following list highlights the features on the Home tab for each mode.

  • For reports, the Format, Design, Filter, and Report groups offer options for changing the output format of your report, as well as styling it.
  • For charts, the Format Design, Filter, and Report groups enable you to change the theme or your chart or add a header and footer.
  • For documents, options are enabled in the Format and Design groups only. Available options for documents include changing the data source for the document and changing the output format.
  • For visualizations, the Clipboard, Data, Visual, and Storyboard groups enable you to perform some of the more basic functions, such as copy and paste. You also use the Home tab to change your visual type.

Related Information for Reports, Charts, and Documents:

Related Information for Visualizations:

x
Insert Tab

The Insert tab contains options to add reports, charts, existing reports, text, images, and active form controls (for active reports only) to a canvas in Document mode.

Note: The Insert tab is only available in Document mode.

Related Information for Documents:

x
Format Tab

The Format tab provides options for formatting your report, chart, document, or visualization. Depending on the mode you are using, you can perform tasks such as selecting a chart type, enabling Auto Linking, or adding navigational aspects to a report.

The following list highlights the features on the Format tab for each mode.

  • For reports, the Format tab provides access to the Destination, Navigation, Features, and Auto Linking groups. These options enable you to perform many functions related to reports, including Auto Drill or any other report navigation feature.
  • For charts, the Format tab provides access to the Destination, Chart Types, Features, Labels, Interactive, and Navigation groups. These options enable you to perform a variety of charting tasks, including changing the chart type and adding interactive options.
  • For documents, the Format tab enables you to change to report or chart mode. You can also access InfoMini.
  • For visualizations, the Format tab provides access to the Report, Features, Label, and Interactive groups. These options enable you to format your visualization. Also included are grid commands, as well as various features and label commands.

Related Information for Reports, Charts, and Documents:

Related Information for Visualizations:

x
Data Tab

The Data tab contains data manipulation and data display options. For example, you can access Join functionality and work with Defines and Computes. The Data tab is available in the report, chart, and document mode. It is not available in visualization mode.

The following list highlights the features on the Data tab for each available mode.

  • For reports, the Data tab provides access to the Calculation, Join, Filter, Display, and Data Source groups. When working with reports, you can join data sources or create Defines and Computes. You can also filter data.
  • For charts, the Data tab provides access to the Calculation, Join, Filter, Display, and Data Source groups. When working with charts, these options enable you to join data sources, create a Define or Compute, and filter data.
  • For documents, the Data tab provides access to the Calculation, Join, Filter, Display, and Data Source groups. When working with a document, you can create a define or join data sources. You can also add or switch data sources.

Related Information for Reports, Charts, and Documents:

x
Slicers Tab

The Slicers tab provides the ability to create and edit slicers. Slicers are dynamic filters that you can use with reports, charts, and documents.

Note: The Slicers tab is unavailable in visualization mode.

The features on the Slicers tab are the same for reports, charts, and documents. You can perform the following functions with the slicer functionality:

  • Add slicers to your report, chart, or document to create dynamic filters
  • Set a record limit for the display of your data
  • Create groups of slicers to filter your data
  • Add fields to existing slicers
  • Clear slicers to clear all selected values from existing slicers

Related Information for Reports, Charts, and Documents:

Note: The slicer capabilities are only available in the full version of InfoAssist+.

x
Layout Tab

The Layout tab provides access to page display and layout options. These include page orientation and AutoFit, which is a feature that limits the width of columns in a report to be no wider than the largest value in each column.

The Layout tab is available in report, chart, and document mode.

Note: The Layout tab is unavailable in visualization mode.

The following list highlights the features on the Layout tab for each available mode.

  • For reports, the Layout tab provides access to the Page Setup and Report groups. These options allow you to change the size or orientation of your report. You can also add page numbers.
  • For charts, the Layout tab provides access to the Page Setup and Size & Arrange groups. These options allow you to change the orientation or size of your chart. You can also set a height and width for your chart, and enable the AutoFit functionality.
  • For documents, Layout tab provides access to the Page Setup and Size & Arrange groups. You can change the size of your document and adjust its orientation. You can also lock the height and width aspect ratio of your document.

Related Information for Reports, Charts, and Documents:

x
View Tab

The View tab provides access to reporting options, including design and display options. Some of the options on the View tab control how information is displayed, whether it be in structured view or list view. The View tab is available in all modes of InfoAssist+.

The following list highlights the features on the View tab for each mode.

  • For reports, the View tab provides access to the Design, Show/Hide, Data Panel, Query panel, Output Window and Report groups. When creating your report, you can change the way your data displays or switch to another mode, such as document.
  • For charts, the View tab provides access to the Design, Show/Hide, Data Panel, Query panel, Output Window and Report groups. When creating your chart, you can change the output location for the chart or switch to another report or chart.
  • For documents, the View tab provides access to the Design, Show/Hide, Data Panel, Query panel, Output Window and Report groups. When working with your document, you may want to change the display of data in the Data pane or Query pane.
  • For visualizations, the View tab provides access to the Show/Hide and Data Panel groups. When creating your visualization, you can use these options to show or hide the resources panel. You can also change the display of your data to either logical, list or structured.

Related Information for Reports, Charts, and Documents:

x
Field Tab

The Field tab is enabled in the ribbon when you select a data source field. The options available in the Field tab are specific to the data type that is selected. The options available for numeric fields are different from the options available for non-numeric and date fields. The Field tab provides access to the Filter, Sort, Break, Style, Format, Display, and Links groups.

The following list highlights the features on the Field tab for each mode.

  • For reports, the Field tab provides options for filtering and styling your report. It also provides you with access to the Traffic Lights and Within functionality, making your reports more robust and customized.
  • For charts, the Field tab enables you to hide a particular field or group values in your chart. You can also use the filter options to limit the display of information in your chart.
  • For documents, the Field tab provides options for filtering, as well as Traffic Light functionality. You can also hide fields and add aggregations.
  • For visualizations, the View tab provides access to the Show/Hide and Data Panel groups. When creating your visualization, you can use these options to show or hide the resources panel. You can also change the display of your data to either logical, list or structured.

Related Information for Reports, Charts, and Documents:

x
Series Tab

The Series tab provides access to chart options through the Select, Style, Properties, Line, and Pie groups. The Series tab is available in document, chart, and visualization mode. It is not available in report mode.

The following list highlights the features on the Series tab for each available mode.

  • For charts, the Series tab enables you to add such features as a trendline or data labels to your chart. If multiple series are specified, you can select a series and specify options specific to that series.
  • For documents, the Series tab displays once you have specified fields within your document or embedded chart. You can use the options on the Series tab to add markers, smoothlines, or trendlines to your data.
  • For visualizations, the Series tab enables you to switch between series, style the selected series, or add any other property or line features, as required.

Related Information for Reports, Charts, and Documents:

Related Information for Visualizations:

x
Understanding the Canvas

The canvas displays a preview of the report being created or modified on the canvas when you are in the default Live Preview. To select Live Preview, go to Home tab, and in the Design group, click Live Preview, or on the View tab, in the Design group, click Live Preview. The canvas is always fully maximized and cannot be minimized, cascaded, or tiled. However, a blank canvas opens when there is no report.

The canvas displays either live data or sample data.

  • To display live data, on the Home tab, in the Design group, click Data from Source (default).

    When you select Data from Source, a live preview of the report being built is refreshed on the canvas as you add, remove, and style data source fields in the report.

  • To display sample data, on the Home tab, in the Design group, click Use Sample Data.

    When you select Use Sample Data, the canvas displays sample data based on the field type, with the same formatting and styling used to display live data.

When you execute a report, the canvas displays the Output window. If the Output is minimized, or if there is no report to preview, the canvas is blank. To change the canvas view, you can select Query Design view or Live Preview from the Design group of the View tab or Home tab.

When working with a report in Live Preview, you can rearrange the columns of the report by dragging them to the left or right, depending on your display preference. If the column is numeric, you are presented with the option to Drop as Sum or Drop as Sort.

Note: If you select Drop as Sort, the values are listed individually and they are sorted. If you select Drop as Sum, the values are summed for that particular row. The default is Drop as Sum.

When placing the column in a new location, a red indicator bar displays, indicating the location of placement for the moved column. This allows you to see where the column will be placed before you actually perform the operation.

Note: Column sort order can also be rearranged by dragging the fields in the Query field containers of the Query pane to reorder them.

If you create a filter, then the filter appears in the Filter pane.

x
Using the Query Pane and Filter Pane on the Canvas

If you click Query on the Home tab, in the Design group, the Query and Filter panes expand in to the canvas.

This provides a larger area for displaying the Query and Filter panes. This feature is useful when you are designing a report with multiple filters or numerous fields.

Depending on whether you are creating a report or a chart, the Query pane displays selected data source fields using different types of Query field containers.

Related Information:

x
Understanding Output Options

When you run a report, the output appears, either in a tab on the canvas, or in a new browser window. You can create and display output in several different ways, depending on the following options. You can select these options on the View tab, in the Output Window group:

  • Cascade
  • Tile Horizontally
  • Tile Vertically
  • Single Tab
  • New Tab
  • Single Window
  • New Window
  • Switch

Output window and tab options are also available in the status bar, and output window display options are also available in the Navigation taskbar.

Note: When you run a report, tab focus is not on the output window and pressing the Tab key does not move the selection. To move the Tab focus out of the output window, press F6.

x
Reference: Output Target Options

The following are output target options that you can select.

  • Single Tab. When you click Single Tab and run a report, a new output window is created on the canvas, a report instance is created, and an output tab is placed on the Navigation taskbar. As you modify a report, the same output window is refreshed each time the report is run. This option, which is the default, is ideal when you are working with just one report.
  • New Tab. When you click New Tab, each time you run a report, a new output window is created on the canvas. A new report instance is also created and preserved by the addition of a new output tab on the Navigation taskbar. Each output tab maintains the output of the report that generated the corresponding output window. Selecting an output tab on the Navigation taskbar loads the associated output instance into the output window.
  • Single Window. When you click Single Window and run a report, a new browser window is opened and populated with the report output. As you modify the report, the same browser window is refreshed each time the report is run. If the browser window is closed and the report is run, a new browser window is opened again and is refreshed for each subsequent run. The output is not displayed on the canvas, and an output tab is not added to the Navigation taskbar.
  • New Window. When you click New Window, each time you run a report, a new browser window is opened and populated with the report output. The output is not displayed on the canvas, and an output tab is not added to the Navigation Taskbar.
x
Reference: Output View Options

The following are output view options (Arrange) that you can select.

  • Cascade. When you click Cascade, if multiple output windows exist, they are cascaded diagonally across the canvas. This option does not affect open browser windows when you select New Window or Single Window.

  • Tile Horizontally. When you click Tile Horizontally, if multiple output windows exist, they are tiled horizontally, one above another, across the canvas. This option does not affect open browser windows when you select New Window or Single Window.

  • Tile Vertically. When you click Tile Vertically, if multiple output windows exist, they are tiled vertically, side by side, across the canvas. This option does not affect open browser windows when you select New Window or Single Window.

  • Switch Output. When you click Switch Output, a drop-down menu opens, where you can select any active report to view the output. The selected report is loaded into the output window or browser window, depending on the selected output window or tab option.
x
Reference: Output Format Options

The Output window can display report output in the following formats: HTML, HTML5, active report, and PDF.

Note: Excel and PowerPoint formats open in their native programs in a window external to InfoAssist+.

x
Using the Navigation Taskbar

The Navigation taskbar provides quick access to all active output windows and to the report design that generated the output. You can return to the last report that you edited in the Query pane by clicking Display Design View on the taskbar. The Navigation taskbar is always visible. It is located near the bottom of the application window, just above the status bar.

Each of the active output windows displays a tab on the Navigation taskbar. Selecting the tab displays that output window on the canvas. If you save a report with a unique name each time you modify it, when the report is executed and a new output window is generated, the unique name appears as a tab on the taskbar. If you continue to modify and execute a report without saving it with a unique name, a number in parentheses is appended to the original, saved report name to differentiate it among the multiple output windows.

The ability to select report output from the Navigation taskbar depends on the output window option selected from the status bar or from the Output Window group of the View tab. For more information, see Using the Status Bar, or Understanding Output Options.

Each report tab on the Navigation taskbar has a shortcut menu with the following options:

  • Restore
  • Minimize
  • Maximize
  • Close
  • Auto Resize

Restore, Minimize, Maximize, and Close are standard options available in any browser window or software application. Minimize, Maximize (if the window is not maximized), or Restore (if the window is maximized), and Close can also be found in the top-right corner of the output window.

The Auto Resize option enables automatic resizing of an output window as needed when you add or remove fields.

The Window Options menu at the far left of the Navigation taskbar provides options for displaying all active output windows on the canvas. The display options that you can select are Cascade, Tile Horizontally, Tile Vertically, Restore All, Minimize All, Maximize All, or Close All. The name of each active output window appears at the bottom of the menu.

The Window Options menu options are directly linked to the options available in the Output Window group of the View tab.

x
Using the Status Bar

The status bar displays the status of the last selected action, a reports button that shows the number of open reports, an output format button that shows the selected format, as well as a list of the available formats, and an output target button that shows the selected option for displaying new output windows or tabs.

When you click the reports button, a menu opens, with options for selecting any of the open reports. Each report is listed by name and an icon which represents the report type (report, chart, visualization, document). The report you select becomes active.

When you click the output format button, a menu opens, with options for selecting a different output format. For a complete list of options, see Understanding Output Options.

When you click the output target button, a menu opens, with options for Single Tab (default), New Tab, Single Window, and New Window. For more information, see Understanding Output Options.

x
Understanding the Resources Panel

Topics:

Reference:

The Resources panel is comprised of the Data pane, the Filter pane, and the Query pane. It is located on the left side of the InfoAssist+ interface and is visible by default. You can customize how the Resources panel displays by using the options on the Home tab and View tab. For example, on the View tab, in the Design group, click Query to display only the Query and Filter panes.

The Data pane, which contains all the fields from the selected data sources, is always displayed.

You can manually adjust the size of the Resources panel. To do so, move the mouse pointer over the border. When the pointer changes to a two-way arrow, drag the border.

x
Reference: Field Image List

In the Resources panel, each field has an image associated with it. The following table displays each image and describes what it represents.

Note: This list of icons changes based on the type of database that is in use.

x
Reference: Filter Pane

The Filter pane displays all filters that have been created for the selected report.

For more information on filtering, see Field Tab and Data Tab.

Note: The Filter pane displays all created filters, both active (included) and inactive (excluded).

x
Using the Data Pane

The Data pane contains the data fields that are used to construct reports, charts, or visualizations. The default structure of data in the Data pane displays your data by field type, for example, measure field or dimension field. You can explore this structure using the sample retail database that is included with InfoAssist+. The structure of this sample database, which is a cube database, includes measure groups, measure fields, dimension hierarchies, dimension fields, and attributes.

The fields in the database structure are displayed in Logical view, by default. You can use the commands in the View tab to change how your data fields are organized in the Data pane. These commands display the data fields in a Logical, List, or Structured view. All three views provide options for displaying each data source field as a Title, Description, Field, or Alias. The List view also includes options to show the Alias, Format, and Reference of each field.

Field list search functionality is also available in the Data pane, which you can use to search for specific fields within a tree or list. When conducting a search in the Tree view, the search functionality searches only the attribute that is displayed.

When searching in List view, all attributes are searched at once.

Note: There are additional options on which you can search, including Name, Title, Alias, Format, Segment, Filename, Description, and Reference.

As you enter search criteria, InfoAssist+ begins the search process. When you enter just a few letters, the list of records that is returned is typically long. As your search criteria gets more specific, the list of returned fields narrows.

If you are conducting a search that you wish to cancel, click the X icon in the field list search tool to abort the search.

Note: The X icon displays only when you have search criteria specified in the Search fields box.

The following is an example of the default Logical view, displaying the Title of each field.

Data pane - Search field

x
Using the Data Pane to Add Fields to a Report

There are several ways that you can add data source fields to a report. You can drag, double-click, or right-click data source fields in the Data pane to add them to a Query field container or the Filter pane.

After you add data source fields to a Query field container, you can change the order of the fields by dragging and dropping one field above or below another field.

Drag. This method provides the most control. You can drag data source fields from the Data pane to the appropriate Query field container or Filter pane.

For a larger work area in which to drop data source fields in the appropriate Query field container, make sure that Query Design view is selected, and then, on the View tab, in the Query Panel group, click Areas 2x2 or Areas 1x4.

You can select Query Design view on the Home tab, in the Design group, by clicking Query or on the View tab, in the Design group by clicking Query. That selection expands the Query and Filter panes.

Multi-Select. You can multi-select data source fields that you want to add to a report in Live Preview, Query Design view, and Document mode. To select multiple data source fields to add to a report, click the appropriate fields while holding the Ctrl key on the keyboard. You can drag fields onto the canvas, or add them to the Query field container.

Double-Click. To automatically add a field to the appropriate Query field container in the Query pane, you can double-click a data source field in the Data pane.

  • When you double-click a measure field in the Data pane, it is automatically added to the Sum Query field container.
  • When you double-click a dimension field in the Data pane, it is added to the By (Row Label) Query field container for a report, or to the X-axis Query field container for a chart.

You cannot automatically add a field to the Across (Column Label) Query field container for a report, or to the Legend (Series) and Multi-graph Query field containers for a chart.

Right-Click. You can right-click a field in the Data pane to add it to the Filter area or a Query field container in the Query pane. For reports, the available shortcut menu options are as follows:

  • Across. For dimension fields.
  • Add to Query. Opens a menu of available Query field containers, to which you can add your data.
  • Create Group. Allows you to create a group of elements based on the field data type that you select.
  • Include as Category Axis. For dimension fields.
  • Include as Coordinated. Only available in Document mode.
  • Include as Legends Series. For dimension fields.
  • Filter. For all types of fields.
  • Slicers. For all types of fields.
  • Sort. Adds the field to the Sort field container. This is for all types of fields.
  • Sum. For measure fields.

A measure is a numeric value, such as Gross Profit or Cost of Goods Sold, that you may want to aggregate. All numeric values that can be summed are measures. Numeric fields that cannot be summed, such as product number and miles per gallon, are not treated as measures. Instead, they may be used in the same way as dimension fields to analyze measures. It is up to you to understand your data and determine whether each numeric field can be summed. Related measures can be organized into measure groups. For example, Gross Profit and Cost of Goods Sold can be part of a Sales measure group.

A dimension is a way to categorize data. You can use a dimension to analyze and compare measures. Generally, any field that is not a measure, usually an alphanumeric field such as product, is a dimension. Dimensions can be organized into hierarchies to define the relationships between the fields in the hierarchies. For example, a Geography hierarchy can contain the Continent, Country, State, and City dimensions. You can also define dimension fields that are not part of a dimension hierarchy.

x
Using the Query Pane and Filter Pane

The Query and Filter panes appear below the Data pane, except when you select Query Design view, which expands the size of the Query and Filter panes. There are different Query field containers for reports and charts.

Note: If you have more than one item in either Sum, By, or Across Query field containers (for reports) or Measure (Sum) or X-axis Query field containers (for charts), you can drag them up or down in the Query pane to rearrange the order in which they display in your report or chart. When you drag fields to rearrange them, an indicator line displays, providing guidance as to where the field will be placed. The color of this line is determined by the theme. Once you have performed the rearrangement, the Live Preview refreshes based on the newly indicated order.

Reports. For all reports, the Query field containers in the Query pane include Sum, By, and Across.

  • Use the Sum Measure field icon field container to aggregate or display numeric measure fields. Its context menu provides options to Sum (default), Print, Count, or List the fields in the report.
  • Use the By Query field container to vertically sort dimension fields to produce row labels in the report output. Dimension fields are normally non-numeric or date fields.
  • Use the Across Query field container to horizontally sort dimension fields to produce column labels in the report output.

x
Using Field Containers

Field containers are used to hold fields that you select based on the function that you want it to perform. For example, in chart and visualization mode, you can add a field to the Color field container, which will color your data based on the selected field.

For reports, the available field containers are different than those presented for charts and visualizations. This section reviews all of the field containers, providing you with a reference point when working with field containers.

x
Field Containers for Reports

The following field containers display when creating reports.

Across

Enables you to display column headings across the top of the report for the measure or dimension that is placed in this field container.

By

Enables you to specify sort fields for your report.

Note: You can rearrange the display order of your By sorts by dragging them into the desired order in the Query pane.

Sum

Displays numeric totals for numeric (measure) fields that are added to this field container.

x
Field Containers for Charts and Visualizations

The following field containers display when creating charts and visualizations.

Animate

Enables you to animate time progression using a slider control. As you move the control along the slider bar, an animation effect results. The slider control has a Play button that allows you to play and pause the animation. When you click Play, the Pause option is activated, enabling you to pause the progression and analyze your data. Slider controls are limited to one sort field and should be time or sequence related, such as month or year. This field container displays for many different chart types.

By

Use this field container to differentiate data types in a field that contains multiple categorical values. For example, when creating a gauge chart, the field that you specify in this field container becomes a By field, by which all values are displayed as a separate chart.

Category

Enables you to display data categorically in a chart. This field container displays for Tag Cloud charts, which are available in the Other charts category.

Category Axis

Use this field container to specify a field that contains categorical data. These categories display on the categorical portion of a 3D bar chart. The other axis, Series Axis, is plotted against the categorical data.

Close

Enables you to specify a numeric field to indicate the closing value of a stock. Other required values include: Open, High, and Low. This field container displays for Stock charts, which are available in the Other charts category.

Color

Enables the application of different colors based on the underlying data set for the field in this field container. When you place a numeric field in the Color field container, the legend displays as a heat scale. When you place an alphanumeric or a date field (non-measure) in the Color field container, the legend displays as colored markers. To change how the legend displays, right-click the Color field container and click Color BY.

Columns

Enables you to specify a field to display column data in a matrix chart in a visual. The use of measure fields is supported. Column data is displayed at the top of the visual, along the X axis. This field container is available for charts and visualizations.

Detail

Use this field container to add detail to your visual by adding a data field to it. For example, if you add Sale,Quarter to the Detail field container in your Scatter plot, the points on the plot are quadrupled, one for each quarter. In addition, the field that you specify in the Detail field container also displays on the hover menu for each point in the plot.

Geolocation

Enables you to specify a Geolocation field for use in a map.

Note: Geolocation fields are listed in the Data pane with a Geolocation icon .

Grouping

Enables you to specify a field by which to present your data in categories or groups. For example, this data field controls how a treemap is grouped.

High

Enables you to specify a numeric field to indicate the high value of a stock. Other required values include: Open, Low, and Close. This field container displays for Stock charts, which are available in the Other charts category.

Horizontal Axis

Displays the data for the selected along the X axis. This field container is available for charts and visualizations.

Note: You can specify up to three fields on the horizontal axis.

Legend (Series)

Enables you to add a field to specify for the legend of the chart. This field container displays for a number of charts that are available in the Other chart category.

Low

Enables you to specify a numeric field to indicate the low value of a stock. Other required values include: Open, High, and Close. This field container displays for Stock charts, which are available in the Other charts category.

Lower Limit

Enables you to specify a numeric (measure) field by which to establish a lower limit. This field container displays for Vertical Box Plot charts, which are available in the Other chart category.

Lower quartile

Enables you to specify a numeric (measure) field by which to establish a lower quartile. This field container displays for Vertical Box Plot charts, which are available in the Other chart category.

Measure

Use this field container to specify a measure that will serve as the basis for a pie chart. The Measure metric is used with the Color field container for pie charts to create sections based on your field selections. It is also used with Gauge charts.

Measure (Sum)

Enables you to specify a numeric (measure field) by which to sum data. This field container displays for a number of charts that are available in the Other chart category.

Median

Enables you to specify a numeric (measure) field by which to establish an median. This field container displays for Vertical Box Plot charts, which are available in the Other chart category.

Multi-graph

Enables the creation of multiple graphs based on the field that you place in this field container. This field container displays for many different chart types, including Spectral Heatmaps, which are available from the Other dialog box.

Open

Enables you to specify a numeric field to indicate the opening value of a stock. Other required values include: High, Low, and Close. This field container displays for Stock charts, which are available in the Other charts category.

Rows

Enables you to specify a field to display row data in a matrix chart in a visual. The use of measure fields is supported. Row data is displayed on the left side of the visual, along the Y axis. This field container is available for charts and visualizations.

Series Axis

Use this field container to specify a series to plot against the data presented on the Categorical Axis. This field container displays for 3D bar charts.

Size

Controls the size of markers or other data points.

Size (Sum)

Enables you to specify a numeric (measure) field, which will control the size of the data presented in a chart. This field container displays for Tag Cloud charts, which are available in the Other charts category.

Slices

Enables you to specify a field whose data values will dictate the size of the slices in a chart. This field container is available for Funnel charts, which are available in the Other chart category.

Tooltip

When you place a field in this field container, InfoAssist+ enables you to view additional information in the tooltip for a chart or visual.

Upper limit

Enables you to specify a numeric (measure) field by which to establish an upper limit. This field container displays for Vertical Box Plot charts, which are available in the Other chart category.

Upper quartile

Enables you to specify a numeric (measure) field by which to establish an upper quartile. This field container displays for Vertical Box Plot charts, which are available in the Other chart category.

Vertical Axis

Displays the data for the selected field along the Y axis. This field container is available for charts and visualizations.

X Axis

Enables the specification of a field on the X Axis of certain chart types. For example, XY Polar. This field container displays for a number of charts that are available in the Other chart category.

Y1 Measure (Sum)

Enables you to specify a measure (numeric) field for the Y Axis in a Pareto and certain line charts, which can be accessed from the Other chart category.

Y2 Measure

Use this field container to indicate a measure to serve as the basis for second Y axis. This field is used in various line charts, which can be accessed from the Other chart category.

x
Using Shortcut Menu Options in the Query Pane

In the Query pane, you can right-click any field and select from a list of available options that are displayed in the menu that appears. The options that you can select vary, depending on the type of Query field container in which the field is located and the type of report that you are creating.

You can also rename the content type in the Query pane. You can right-click the component and click Rename to change the title.

This allows you to customize the title in the Query pane. In addition, when working in Excel format, the name that you provide is used as the worksheet name in the workbook that is generated at run-time.

Note: If you are working with a report or chart in HTML format, you can also access Sum, Print, List, and Count aggregations from the shortcut menu on the report or chart component.

Related Information:

x
Reference: Right-Click Field Options in the Query and Filter Panes

The following table lists and describes all the right-click field options available in the Query and Filter panes for a selected field.

Option

Description

# of Columns

Opens the Number of Columns dialog box, where you can indicate the number of columns in which you wish to display multiple graphs.

Aggregation Functions

Provides a menu for selecting options to assign an aggregation type value to a selected numeric field in a report.

Break

Provides a menu of options to enable page breaks and subtotals, and resetting page numbers.

Create Group

Allows you to create a group of elements based on the field data type that you select. Once you define a new group, a higher-level field is created that contains the selected elements.

For more information, see How to Create a Dynamic Group.

Change Title

Opens the Edit Title dialog box, where you can change the title of the selected field by typing the new title in the Enter Title field.

Note: When changing the title of a column heading, you can place a comma between words in the Enter Title field to create a multi-line header.

Data Bars

Provides a menu for enabling the data bar representation functionality. Selecting On adds a data visualization column to the right of a selected numeric field. The column displays values in each row using horizontal bars that extend from left to right in varying lengths, depending on the corresponding data values.

Delete

Deletes the selected field.

Note: In the Query and Filter panes, you can select and delete multiple data fields at one time. Using the CTRL key, select two or more data fields, right-mouse click, and then click Delete.

Drill Down

Opens the Drill Down dialog box, where you can create multiple drilldown links on a data field to external procedures or websites.

Edit Format

Opens the Field Format Options dialog box, where you can edit the field type and display options.

Filter Values

Opens the Filter dialog box for creating WHERE statements, which enable you to select only the data that you want and to exclude all unwanted data.

Missing

Allows you to show or hide fields with no value.

Sort

Provides access to the Sort, Rank, and Limit menus. The Sort menu allows you to sort your data either in ascending or descending order. The Limit menu allows you to specify the number of unique values displayed for a sort group that has been added. The Rank menu allows you to insert a rank column immediately to the left if a Sort By field is selected and adds a rank column to the left of the Sort By field if a Measure field is selected. Ranking a Measure field results in two copies of the field, the original Measure field and the Sort By field that is created during ranking.

Sub Footer

Opens the Sub Header & Sub Footer dialog box where you can edit and style your footers.

Sub Header

Opens the Sub Header & Sub Footer dialog box where you can edit and style your headers.

Traffic Light Conditions

Opens the Traffic Light Condition dialog box, where you can add new conditional styling or modify existing conditional styling by applying traffic light (and other) colors to a selected field in the report output when the field meets specified criteria.

Visibility

Provides a menu for controlling the visibility of the selected field. Clicking Hide removes the selected field from the report output. Clicking Show (default) displays the selected field in the report output.

All of the shortcut menu options that are available in the Query and Filter panes are also available in the Field tab. For more information, see Field Tab.

x
Dynamic Grouping

Dynamic grouping allows you to create groups of elements based on the field data type that you select. For example, in the wf_retail_lite database, there are a number of brands of televisions. Using the dynamic grouping functionality, you can create groups based on the popularity of a particular brand. The first group might include top sellers such as LG and Sony. The second group might contain the remaining brands (Panasonic, GPX, Supersonic, Tivax, and Audiovox). This would allow you to group top sellers into one group, and the remaining brands into another group.

Note: The Create Group option is only available for dimension fields of non-numeric format or attribute.

You can also specify multiple, unique groupings in the same session. For example, you might want to group the data to indicate groups or products, or specific regions.

Note: If you want to exclude a specific data element from your analysis, you can use the filter functionality.

The grouping that you specify is applied and this new group then replaces the original field that you selected in the Query pane. The name that you specify when creating the group is reflected in the Query pane.

Note: You can edit the group once it has been created by right-clicking on the higher-level field and clicking Edit Group.

x
Procedure: How to Create a Dynamic Group
  1. From the Data pane, add one or more data fields to your report or chart.

    Note: You can use the dynamic grouping functionality on non-numeric dimension fields only.

  2. In the Query pane, right-click the data field for which you want to apply dynamic grouping.

    Note: The Create Group option is also available in the Data pane shortcut menu.

  3. Click Create Group.

    The Create a Group dialog box displays.

  4. In the Field text box, optionally type a name for the new group.
  5. Select the data values that you want to group. Use CTRL + click to select more than one value, as shown in the following image.

  6. Click Group.

    Note: To ungroup values, click a group and then click Ungroup.

  7. Optionally, create additional groups, as shown in the following image.

  8. Click OK.

    Your grouped data will display in the Data pane when your report, chart, or visualization refreshes, as shown in the following image.


WebFOCUS

Feedback