3 Managing Datasets

Learn about creating datasets and managing dataset objects.

• About Setting Up Datasets
  Datasets are groupings of related tables or views created by Data Reporter administrators.
• Creating a Dataset
  Create a dataset from the Data Reporter home page.
• Managing Dataset Objects
  Manage dataset objects by adding or removing objects from the dataset, editing dataset object columns, or synchronizing dataset objects with their source.

3.1 About Setting Up Datasets

Datasets are groupings of related tables or views created by Data Reporter administrators.

When creating a dataset, Data Reporter administrators group related tables and views together. A dataset exists at the workspace level. Once created, datasets are available for use in Data Reporter applications.

A dataset provides context for reports created in the associated reporting applications. Data Reporter editors create reporters in the reporting application based on the data in the dataset.

All datasets assigned to a Data Reporter application are available for reports in that application. However, editors can choose to select a specific dataset for an individual report.

Once a dataset is available, you can use that dataset to build a reporting application and define the reports you need. If a dataset is in use by a report, it cannot be deleted. Additionally, individual tables or views within a dataset cannot be removed if they are referenced in reports within an assigned Data Reporter application.

Note:

Oracle APEX includes sample datasets you can install. To learn more, see Using Sample Datasets in Oracle APEX SQL Workshop Guide.

3.2 Creating a Dataset

Create a dataset from the Data Reporter home page.

Before defining a dataset in Data Reporter, the APEX workspace must already have data available.

Tip:

If this is your first time accessing Data Reporter, use Create Dataset on the Welcome page.

To create a dataset:

1. From the Data Reporter Home page, select Datasets.
2. Select Create.
3. Specify the Name.
4. Select the tables and views to include in the dataset.

   Tip:

   Use the Search field to locate specific tables or views. To select all displayed tables or views, select Select All.
5. Select Create Dataset.

APEX creates the named dataset.

3.3 Managing Dataset Objects

Manage dataset objects by adding or removing objects from the dataset, editing dataset object columns, or synchronizing dataset objects with their source.

• Adding an Object to a Dataset
  Add a table or view to a dataset in the Manage Data Reporter page.
• Editing a Dataset Object Column
  Edit column information, set a format mask, hide a column, or enable a facet through Dataset Object Actions.
• Synchronizing a Dataset Object
  Synchronize a dataset object on the dataset object page.
• Deleting a Dataset Object
  Delete a table or view from a dataset in the Manage Datasets page.

3.3.1 Adding an Object to a Dataset

Add a table or view to a dataset in the Manage Data Reporter page.

To add an object to an existing dataset:

1. From the Data Reporter home page, select Datasets.
2. Select the Dataset Name.
3. Under Dataset Objects, select Add Object.
4. Select the desired table or view.

   Tip:

   Use the Search field to locate specific tables or views.
5. Select Add.

The dataset now includes the additional table or view.

3.3.2 Editing a Dataset Object Column

Edit column information, set a format mask, hide a column, or enable a facet through Dataset Object Actions.

To edit a dataset object column:

1. From the Data Reporter home page, select Datasets.
2. Select the Dataset Name.
3. Under Dataset Objects, select the table or view to delete.
4. Select the table or view that contains the column to be edited.

   Tip:

   A column can be part of a table and also part of a view. The attributes are not synchronized, so you can set column attributes (including Display, Value Identifies Row, Label, Description, Format Mask, and Facet) one way on the table and another way on the view.
5. Locate the column, and select Edit.
6. Update the column:
   1. Display - To hide the column, toggle Display off.
   2. Value Identifies Row - See item-level help.
   3. Label - The display label for the column.
   4. Description - Description of the column.
   5. Format Mask - Select a format mask to apply to the column.
   6. Facet - Whether the column is visible as a facet. If the column is visible as a facet, select whether the column is visible as a facet inline, or in a filter dialog.
7. Select Apply Changes.

3.3.3 Synchronizing a Dataset Object

Synchronize a dataset object on the dataset object page.

When you update a table or view to change the columns in it, that dataset object must be synchronized so that the updated information shows in the dataset.

To synchronize a dataset object column:

1. From the Data Reporter home page, select Datasets.
2. Select the Dataset Name.
3. Under Dataset Objects, select the updated table or view.
   An alert appears: The Dataset Object needs to be synchronized.
4. Select Synchronize Columns.
5. Select OK to confirm.
6. Select Apply Changes.

3.3.4 Deleting a Dataset Object

Delete a table or view from a dataset in the Manage Datasets page.

To delete objects from an existing dataset:

1. From the Data Reporter home page, select Datasets.
2. Select the Dataset Name.
3. Under Dataset Objects, select the table or view to delete.
4. On the Dataset Object page, select Delete.
5. Select Delete to confirm.

The dataset object is no longer present in the dataset from the dataset.