About Parameters
The parameters in a data model enables you to interact with data when you view reports.
Supported parameter types:
-
Text - Enables entering a text string to pass as the parameter.
-
Menu - Enables making selections from a list of values. A list of values can contain fixed data that you specify or a list created using a SQL query that is executed against any of the defined data sources. This option supports multiple selection, a Select All option, and partial page refresh for cascading parameters.
To create a menu type parameter, define the list of values, and then define the parameter and associate it to the list of values.
-
Date - Enables you to select a date as a parameter. You must use the data type Date and the Java date format.
- Search - Enables you to specify search text and to select one value from a long list of values.
You can define mandatory parameters for your report. An asterisk symbol next to a parameter label indicates that the parameter is marked as mandatory in the data model. You must provide values for the mandatory parameters of a report, if you want to run the report online or schedule the report.
After defining the parameters in the data model, you can configure how the parameters are displayed in the report. Make sure you don't use any special characters in the display name of the parameters.
You can use parameters in various ways, depending on the type of the dataset. For example, you can use all parameter features with datasets from SQL queries. With other types of datasets, you can use all, none, or a subset of the parameter features, as described in this table.
| Dataset Type | Parameter Support | Multiple Selection | Can Select All | Refresh Other Parameters on Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SQL Query |
Yes Supports all parameter types |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Analysis |
Inherited from Analysis |
Yes (using Oracle BI Dashboards) |
Yes (using Oracle BI Dashboards) |
Yes (using Oracle BI Dashboards) |
|
DV Dataset |
Yes Supports all parameter types |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
HTTP (XML Feed) |
Yes Supports only Text and Date parameter types |
No |
No |
No |
|
Web Service |
Yes Supports only Text and Date parameter types |
No |
No |
No |
|
CSV File |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Microsoft Excel File |
Yes Supports only Text and Date parameter types |
No |
No |
No |
|
XML File |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Content Server |
No |
No |
No |
No |