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Examining or Editing the Logical SQL Generated for an Oracle BI Request

This section explains how to examine or edit the SQL or XML generated for a request.

NOTE:  This procedure is only for advanced users and developers that have the appropriate responsibilities to access the Advanced tab. It is assumed that you know advanced SQL, have expertise working with the Oracle BI Server metadata, are familiar with the SQL information in Oracle Business Intelligence Server Administration Guide, and understand the content and structure of the underlying data sources.

For example, you can edit the logical SQL for a request when the underlying presentation objects have been changed, instead of re-creating the request.

The Advanced tab also provides access to links that you can use to execute saved requests from an external Web page, portal, or application, or download the results into Microsoft Excel. The section Referencing the Results contains the links and provides instructions to use them.

NOTE:  You may not be able to download results if your organization is using certain security features. For more information, contact your Oracle BI administrator.

To examine or edit the XML or SQL generated for a request

1. In Oracle BI Answers, create or modify a request and click the Advanced tab.

   The proposed XML and logical SQL appear for the request.

2. Use the Advanced SQL Clauses section following the proposed SQL to change the subject area, add GROUP BY or HAVING clauses, and specify DISTINCT processing.
3. To combine this request with a similar request from the same subject area or another subject area, where you can perform Set operations such as UNION or INTERSECT on the results, click the following button on the Criteria tab:

   Combine with Similar Request

   If you want to edit the SQL or XML directly, continue with the following steps.

   CAUTION:  When you click the Set SQL button in the next step, be aware that the Criteria tab for this request may no longer be accessible.

4. If you want to modify the SQL, read the preceding caution statement, make your modifications to the SQL directly in the Edit window, and then click the Set SQL button.

   CAUTION:  Requests are stored in the Presentation Catalog in XML format. If you change the XML in the following step, you are changing the request in the Presentation Catalog.

5. If you want to modify the XML, read the preceding caution statement, make your modifications to the XML directly in the Edit window, and then click the Set XML button.