Edit Parameter Values dialog

Use this dialog to enter values for active worksheet parameters, which typically:

  • provide input to conditions to filter worksheets (for example, when prompted to choose a month, you might enter 'January' to analyze January data only)

  • provide input to calculations (for example, when prompted to choose a rolling average value, you might enter '3' to calculate a three month rolling average)

If you are printing a worksheet, you enter parameter values to limit or refine the data that you print.


This dialog is also displayed as:
Export Wizard dialog: Parameters page
Print Wizard dialog: Parameters page
Schedule Wizard dialog: Parameter Values page
Copy Scheduled Workbook dialog: Parameter Values tab
Edit Scheduled Workbook dialog: Parameter Values tab

For more information, see:

"What are parameters?"

"About using parameters"

Select values for the following parameters:

<Parameter list>

This area contains one or more fields into which you enter parameter values. Each field has a prompt (typically an instruction or question) telling you what value to enter. For example, if the prompt is 'Please choose a month', enter 'January' to analyze performance figures for January.

Mandatory parameters are indicated with an asterisk (*).

If a flashlight button is displayed next to a parameter field, click this button to display the "Select Value dialog", which enables you to search for and select the values you want to use. For more information, see "Using lists of values (LOVs)".

Use the <Index and Value> drop down list (where available) to display default parameter values with indexes (for example, (010) January, (011) February) or without indexes (for example, January, February). For more information about using the <Index and Value> drop down list, see the "Edit Parameter Values dialog" and "About using indexes and values in parameters").

Note: You determine whether the <Index and Value> drop down list is displayed here, by using the Enable users to select either indexes or values check box in the "Edit Parameter dialog".

(optional) Next

This button enables you to display the next step in the Print Wizard, which is displayed when you print a workbook with more than worksheet with an active parameter. The Print Wizard enables you to specify parameter values for active parameters in a workbook. For example, if you print a workbook with three worksheets that have active parameters, the Print Wizard has three steps, one step for each worksheet.

Notes

  • You can change parameter values in a worksheet at any time by choosing Tools | Parameter Values.

  • For date items, click on the calendar icon to the right of the parameter value field to specify a date using the graphical "Calendar dialog". If no calendar icon is displayed, click the down arrow to the right of the field and choose Select From Calendar to display the "Calendar dialog".

  • You can enter the following reserved words into a parameter field:

    • SYSDATE or TODAY

      Enter the reserved word SYSDATE or TODAY into a parameter field (must be of data type DATE) to display worksheet data that matches the system or today's date.

    • USER

      Enter the reserved word USER into a parameter field (must be of the same data type as the data type of the parameter) to display worksheet data that matches the current database user.

    • NULL

      Enter the reserved word NULL into a parameter field (must be of data type DATE, STRING or NUMERIC) to display worksheet data where the item that this parameter is based upon has a NULL value.

    Note that the reserved word must have the same data type as the parameter (for example, SYSDATE or TODAY can only be used with a parameter that has the data type DATE).

    The reserved word that you enter into a parameter field is case-insensitive (for example, you could enter TODAY, today, ToDaY).

    Note: You can enter reserved words using upper or lowercase letters. However, you must not enter any additional text or text symbols. For example, you cannot use NULL% or 'NULL'. Discoverer would treat NULL% as a text string and not as a reserved word.

    To enter the literal value of reserved words, place single or double quotes around the word. For example, enter "NULL" to find database text values that contain the text NULL.

  • If you select a value for a workbook-level parameter, the value is applied to all worksheets in the workbook. For example, three worksheets (Sheet 1, Sheet 2, Sheet 3) contain the workbook level parameter Month. If you select January when prompted for the Month parameter for Sheet 1, January is selected for the Month parameter in Sheet 2 and Sheet 3. If you change the parameter value to February for Sheet 2 or Sheet 3, Discoverer applies this value to the other worksheets.