The Report section differs slightly from other sections in order to provide you with as robust a report designer as possible. Key differences include:
Expression Line—Accessed by way of the Expression button on the Section title bar, the Expression line enables you to build common computed expressions using JavaScript.
Elements—Contains all of the of drag-and-drop elements that you use to create a custom report, including:
Query—Contains all the sections associated with a selected query, including Results, Pivot, and Chart sections. You can drag individual Results columns from the Results and Table sections to a report page, as well as entire Pivot and Chart sections to create Smart Reports.
Graphics—Contains standard vector graphics text labels, and pictures (bitmaps only). Vector graphics include: line, horizontal line, vertical line, rectangles, round rectangles, and ovals. For vector graphics, select Report , then Insert Graphics. For a .BMP, .JPEG, .GIF, .JPG or .PNG, select Report , then Picture.
When an Interactive Reporting document (BQY) is created and saved using 9.3.x releases, all images are saved in centralized format (the Resource Manager). As a result, the images cannot be read or displayed in prior releases of Interactive Reporting. This is because the relocation and rationalization of the images are not understood by releases prior to 9.3.x.
The exception is images from a document saved in a pre 9.3 Release, which have been referenced once: not copied, merged or duplicated, that is, placed in Dashboard or Report workspace as a Picture graphic in traditional fashion.
To retain compatibility with earlier releases, you can run the RevertImageResources script. This script provides a facility to undo the relocation and image merging, and thereby return the Interactive Reporting document to the pre-9.3 pre-Resource Manager format. This script is included with the 9.3. Release of Dashboard Development Services. It can also be downloaded from the Hyperion Developer Network. This script can only be used on the desktop, and not in the EPM Workspace, as it relies on the COM feature of Interactive Reporting Studio.
Certain new features make documents ineligible for conversion to the non-Resource Manager format: for example if the 9.3 Interactive Reporting document has Bubble and Scatter charts, then these are lost when the Interactive Reporting document is opened in the older version of Interactive Reporting Studio. For information on running the RevertImageResources script, see the Hyperion System 9 BI+ 9.3. Readme.
Fields—Contains predefined fields that can be dragged to various areas of the report to enhance the look and feel of the report. Fields include items such as date and time, the report name, or page number.
To use any of these elements, simply drag them to the desired report component band.
Data Layout—Consists of the Groups data layout and Table data layout. The Table data layout is divided into the Dimension and Fact panes.
Groups Data Layout—Defines the overall or highest levels used to group data in a report. When you designate an item to serve as a group header (also known as a break value), you are instructing Interactive Reporting to organize the rest of the data in repeating collections of records according to the group header.
Dimensions pane in Table Data Layout—Includes descriptive information such as a column in a table that is included in the body of the report.
Facts pane in Table Data Layout—Includes the measurable or quantifiable data as a column in a table included in the body of the report. Interactive Reports calculates and inserts subtotals for each fact column.
Interactive Reporting quantifies values by group header and dimension. If you have a descriptive numeric value that should not be calculated, such as Retail Price or Target Sales, use it as a group header or table dimensions instead of a fact.