Documents display data values returned from the data source in a data object. Multiple data objects can occupy a document, and each data object's display type can differ:
Each display type has prerequisites.
Pinboards are generated from spreadsheets and charts, and they require traffic lighting definitions. See Creating Pinboards.
Because custom documents use component combinations that differ, there is no single process for creating custom documents. See Creating Custom Documents.
SQL spreadsheets enable you to query a relational data source, and display the returned data values on a custom document. You must understand how to compose a SQL query to create a SQL spreadsheet. See Creating SQL Spreadsheets.
Free-form grids enable you to combine data values from multiple data sources in one data object. Free-form grids leverage custom document database connections. See Creating Freeform Grids.
You can change spreadsheets into a wide variety of charts. See Changing and Locking Display Types.
Finally, each display type has formatting options. See Formatting Options.
To create a document you are required to specify:
Data source—Provides data values, including date and text as data in cells. See Date and Text Cell Behavior
Query—Gets data values from the data source and returns them to the data object.
You can set properties that customize each element.
The database connection wizard specifies the type of data source, logon credentials, database applications, dimension formatting and drill-through properties.
Each data object can be set to a display types that features formatting options.
Queries can be explicit, requesting information on dimension members, or dynamic, requesting information about a dimension member that satisfies a set of criteria.
Topics that discuss the three primary ways to create documents: