Setting Up a Connection to a File Data Source

BI Publisher enables you to use existing XML or Microsoft Excel files created from other sources as input to your BI Publisher reports.

To use a file as a data source, it must reside in a directory that BI Publisher can connect to. Set up the connection details to the file data source directory using this page.

To set up a connection to a file data source:

1. From the Administration page, click File to display the list of existing file sources.
2. Click Add Data Source.
3. Enter the following fields for the new data source:

   • Data Source Name — Enter a display name for the data source. This name is displayed in the Data Source selection list in the Data Model Editor.

   • Path — Enter the full path to the top-level directory on your server. Users can access files in this directory and any subdirectories.

4. Define security for this data source. Use the shuttle buttons to move roles from the Available Roles list to the Allowed Roles list. Only users assigned the roles on the Allowed Roles list can create or view reports from this data source.