Oracle CRM On Demand Report Services API Developer's Guide > Using the ReportExecute Method >

Overview of the ReportExecute Method

The ReportExecute method accesses existing reports within Oracle CRM On Demand and creates portable files from them. A portable file is a file, such as a PDF file that can be shared and displayed outside of Oracle CRM On Demand.

To access existing reports, you need a scripting language, such as JavaScript or Perl, or a command line download tool such as Wget or cURL. The examples in this guide use the Wget tool, but the concepts are the same for all scripting languages and download tools.

The download tool calls the ReportExecute method and specifies the report (path and name) and the delivery format for the report. The Oracle CRM On Demand Report Services API can deliver reports in any of the following formats: PDF, XLS, TXT, CSV, and MHTML. The download tool then transfers the file generated by the ReportExecute method and stores it in the same location from where the report execution service call is made or in a location specified with the output file.

The ReportExecute method uses the data visibility controls in Oracle CRM On Demand. The user account you use to sign on to Oracle CRM On Demand through the ReportExecute method by way of the download tool, determines the data you have visibility into. If the reports you are downloading are to be shared with other users, then you must consider what data they are permitted to see and make sure that you do not access the ReportExecute method with an account that has access to restricted records.