Business Objects Enterprise version 4.1. Report Viewing

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1 Business Objects Enterprise version 4.1 Note about Java: With earlier versions, the Java run-time was not needed for report viewing; but was needed for report writing. The default behavior in version 4.1 is the same, but, if necessary, reports can be created or modified without using the Java applet. Some advanced features are only available with the Java applet. This version will work with either JRE 6 or JRE 7 (JRE 7 is recommended). Report Viewing Logging on: Select LDAP for Authentication. Initially, you will see the Home Screen. Select Documents. There is now a My Documents drawer which contains My Favorites and Inbox and a Folders drawer which contains Public Folders.

2 Navigate to a report and double-click to run. The Prompt window looks a little different but functions the same as before. The biggest changes are seen on the window displaying the report output. Opening and closing of left panel is slightly different.

3 Some buttons are in different places on the screen and/or have icon instead of text label. Refresh is now on bottom right of screen, along with Go to Next Page and others: The Save icon is now only for Save within Business Objects. The Export icon is for Save/Export to local computer (as Excel or PDF).

4 Tabs: Each open report now occupies a tab in the Business Objects workspace. Multiple reports can be open at the same time. Tabs can be Pinned to always open each time you log in: Report Writing It is recommended to use the default settings -- Java applet for Report Writing. To create a new report: Select Applications > Web Intelligence (at top right of screen) Click on New icon (sheet of blank paper).

5 For Data Source, select Universe and click OK. A list of universes will appear. Select the appropriate Universe and the Query Panel will appear. The Query Panel works the same as always except there is a new optional feature, Data Preview. This lets you see the actual data (about 200 rows) prior to clicking on Run Query. Select Run Query to generate report.

6 Again, the biggest changes are seen on the window displaying the report output. In addition to those changes already noted: There are five major tabs at the top of the page: Report Element, Format, Data Access, Analysis, and Page Setup. Each major tab has several minor tabs below it. Most options are available under one of the minor tabs. Many options are also available by right-clicking on a report element.

7 To re-open the Query Panel, select Edit data provider icon on the left of the screen. To Modify an existing report (3 methods): Method 1: Select Applications > Web Intelligence. Click on Open Menu icon and navigate to the particular document. Method 2: Navigate to the document, right-click, and select Modify.

8 Method 3: Navigate to document, double-click to open/view. Select Design at upper right side of window. NOTE: This method will NOT use the Java applet. New Features Excel data source option: Upload an Excel file to My Favorites ( New Local Document ) and use it as the data source for a new report. Possible scenarios: (1) Build and run BusObj report using raw local data in Excel. (2) Use data in Excel, such as Student ID, to select data for a report using DW data. (3) Create a report which merges DW data with Excel data. Table headers, columns, and rows can be frozen on the screen. "Group" feature. Lets you use an existing object to create a new aggregated group object (without having to write a formula) Enhanced copy and paste. Report elements (including tables with data) can easily be copied even from one report to another. Additional Chart types now available - including Heat Map, Tree Map, Tag Cloud, Waterfall Chart, Scatter Plot, and Bubble Chart. More chart format options and color pallet choices. Set as default color feature will lock a color with a value to insure consistency. Can create and use "Default Styles" for reports by saving and modifying a css (cascading style sheet) file. Not a simple process. More options for Export. Export data as CSV works as before (contains raw query results). Export as CSV Archive is a new feature which saves each report tab as a CSV file within a Zip file. Duplicating a report tab duplicates its input controls.