Controlling Freeform Grid Content with Data Objects

Due to the variety of data sources available, freeform grids do not offer the navigation methods and Analysis Tools available to other data objects. Instead of navigating directly on the freeform grid, you may use another data object that shares the data source to control grid content.

Because the freeform grid shows only the first Page dimension, you can use other custom document components (such as subscription controls) to navigate through Page axis dimension members.

To control freeform grid content using another data object, you must perform these steps:

Create a custom document with a freeform grid.
Switch to Analyze mode, right-click and add a data source to the grid.
Return to Document Designer, and add another data object to the custom document.
The second data object must use the data source used by the freeform grid.
Switch to Analyze mode again.

At this point, you have a custom document with a freeform grid and another data object, both of which use a common database connection. You can now apply client-side formatting and analysis tools definitions to the data object. Because the freeform grid's database connection and query match those used by the data object, it reflects all changes to the data object. When you are done formatting the content, you have three options:

You can leave the data object on the document, as a control.
You can delete the data object. The grid maintains its state based on the database connection and query, but you cannot revise the grid.

You can hide the data object by sizing it down, or obscuring it behind another component (send to back). Later, if you revise the grid, you can use the data object control again.

Note:

Formula cell addresses are absolute. They do not dynamically change themselves to accommodate the displacement caused by navigation from a second data object sharing one database connection. Changing the content of a freeform grid, may render formulas obsolete.

To control freeform grid content using another data object:

Start Web Analysis Studio.
Perform one:
- Select File, then New, then Document.
- Click .
- Click , and select Document.
- In the View Pane Browser tab, right-click a document and select Edit.
- Press Ctrl+N.
  The Document Designer is displayed.
Drag the Freeform Grid icon from the component toolbar to a document panel.
An empty freeform grid and the Set Grid Size dialog box are displayed. Note that the grid can consists of only row and column axes.
Enter the number of rows and columns in the corresponding text area, and click OK.
The grid is reset to the indicated number of rows and columns. Note that the freeform grid is selected, and displays blue selection handles.
Click .
Data sources are anchored at cells in a freeform grid. This is done by selecting a cell and composing a query.
To specify an OLAP or Oracle | Hyperion data source, right-click a cell and select Add Data Source.
The Select Data Source dialog box is displayed. You can select a database connection, or select <Add Data Source> to select another database connection. When you are done the query is submitted and the result set is displayed in the freeform grid. It is important to note the name of the data source displayed at the result set origin.
Click .
Drag the Spreadsheet icon from the component toolbar to the document panel.
The Data Object Properties dialog box is displayed.
Select the data source used by the freeform grid for this data object, and click OK.
This is the data source displayed at the result set origin on the freeform grid.
Click .
Your custom document contains a freeform grid and another data object, both of which use a common database connection. You can now apply client-side formatting and analysis tools definitions to the data object. Because the freeform grid's database connection and query matches those used by the data object, it reflects all changes to the data object.