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Adding Conditional Formatting in Siebel Answers

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In tables and pivot tables, conditional formatting helps direct attention to a data element if it meets a certain threshold. For example, you can show below-quota sales figures in the color red, or display an image such as a trophy next to the name of each salesperson who exceeds quota by a certain percent.

You do this by configuring a request to compare the values of a selected column to a constant or to a variable, and then setting up conditional formatting rules to apply to the data when the condition evaluates to true. The conditional formats can include colors, fonts, images, and so on, for the data and for the table cell that contains the data.

You can add multiple conditions so that the data and the table cell are displayed in one of several formats, based upon the value of the data. For example, below-quota sales can be displayed in the color red, and above-quota sales can be displayed in the color green.

Several subtle conditional formatting differences exist between traditional tables and pivot tables. Conditional formats that format one column based on the value of another column are not reflected in a pivot table, but are reflected in the table view. For example, setting the color of a region name based on the sales in that region has no effect in a pivot table. However, setting the color of the sales data based on the value of the sales data is reflected in a pivot table, as is setting the color of the region name based on the actual name; for example, displaying a value of Eastern Region in bold red text.

NOTE:  In pivot tables, conditions are evaluated against the values as calculated or aggregated by the pivot table. Conditional formatting is applied based on the underlying value, even if you choose the Show As options to show the data as percents or indexes. For more information about pivot tables, see Working with Siebel Analytics Pivot Table Views.

To add conditional formatting to a request in Siebel Answers

Create or display a request to which you want to add conditional formatting.

NOTE:  For more information about creating and displaying a request, see Working with Requests in Siebel Answers.

Click the Format Column icon for the column you want to format.

The Edit Column Format page appears.

Click the Conditional Formatting link.

NOTE:  The Conditional Formatting link is located below the text formatting options in the middle of the page.

The Conditional Formatting page appears.

Any existing conditional formats for columns in the request are displayed at the top of the page.

NOTE:  Conditional formats are evaluated in the order in which they are shown. To reorder a condition, click the up or down arrow button. To delete a condition, click the Delete icon.

Complete the formatting options for the column. Formatting options are described in Table 8.
Click the Add Condition link to add your selections as a new condition.

New conditions are shown at the top of the page.

NOTE:  To update a condition shown at the top of the page, click it. The condition is highlighted, and the formatting options are updated to show the conditional format options for the column. Make your changes, and then click the Update Selected Condition link.

Click Finished to return to the Edit Column Format page.
Click Finished again to exit the Edit Column Format page.
View the results in a table or pivot table view.

NOTE:  For information about views, see Working with Siebel Analytics Views.

Table 8.  Siebel Answers Conditional Formatting Options

Option	Description
Images Left	Displays any images to the left of the column data. (You can specify an image in the graphics selection pane at the bottom of the Edit Column Format page.)
Images Right	Displays any images to the right of the column data.
Include formatted column values	Select this option to include the column data in the results display, together with any conditional formatting. If you want to show only the conditional formatting for the column, do not select this option. This does not hide the column itself in the results. Example. The following is an example of showing only conditional formatting for the column in the results. Suppose the request includes ten ranking categories, with a value of 1 in the column indicating the worst ranking, and a value of 10 indicating the best ranking. You might apply conditional formatting to show the following: A red image to indicate a low rank for columns that contain 1, 2, or 3 A yellow image to indicate an average rank for columns that contain 4, 5, 6, or 7 A green image to indicate a high rank for columns that contain 8, 9, or 10 Then, make sure the option to include formatted column values is not checked. In the results display, the columns appear with only the images, and not the ranking numbers.
Criteria	Use this to specify the condition that must be met in order for the conditional formatting to be applied. Select the column and condition from the drop-down lists, and type the comparison value into the text box.
Format	Use this to specify a text color, a style, and a table cell background color for the column. Make your selections from the drop-down lists.
Graphics	Use this to specify whether to include an image in the column: Click the No Image option if you do not want to include an image. To include a custom image, click the Custom Image option and specify the appropriate path in the text box. The image should be one that is accessible to all users who will view the request results. To include one of the images distributed with Siebel Answers, use the graphics selection pane at the bottom of the page. The left side shows the categories of images that are available, such as meters and trend arrows. When you click on an image category, the right side shows the images that are available in that category. Make your selection by clicking the radio button next to the image.

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