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Advanced Options - Parameter Exercise

Parameter Exercise

A user has requested reports that fall between specified dates. You are required to set the report dates when you run the reports. Complete the following steps to create a report that enables you to set the dates at run time using two date parameters.

Step 1: Copy the report and remove the filter

Create a copy of the previous report and do the following:

• Rename the report: Customer Documents History - Parameters
• Remove the filter from the report

Step by Step Solution

1. Right-click on the Customer Documents History - Current Year report and click Copy.
2. Right-click on the Training folder and click Paste.
3. Right-click on the new report and click Rename. (shortcut key – F2)

4. Enter the name Customer Documents History with Parameters in the Rename dialog box and click on OK. A dialogue box presents template options as shown in the figure below.

   
5. Leave the default option selected and click OK. A copy of the report is created and displayed the training folder.
6. Click the Filter tab on the Property window.
7. Select the Period filter and click Remove.
8. Click OK to confirm the deletion. The filter is removed from the report.

Step 2: Set the parameters

Set the following parameters for the report:

• First Parameter
  • Filter Field: Date
  • Operator Name: Greater than or Equal to
  • Comparator/default option: (blank)
• Second parameter
  • Filter Field: Date
  • Operator Name: Less than or Equal to
  • Comparator/default option: (blank)

Step by Step Solution

1. Select the report.
2. Click the Parameter tab.
3. Click the Add button on the right of the property window.
4. From the Choose a Filter Field dialog box, click Date then click OK.
5. From the Choose Comparison Method dialog box, click Greater than or Equal to then click OK.
6. Leave the Comparison Value value blank (this value will be set at run time) then click OK. The parameter is displayed in the Parameter window.
7. To set the second parameter, click the Add button again on the right of the property window.
8. From the Choose a Filter Field dialog box, click Date then click OK.
9. From the Choose Comparison Method dialog box, click Less than or Equal to then click OK.
10. Leave the Comparison Value value blank (this value will be set at run time) then click OK. The parameter is displayed in the Parameter window.

Step 3: Run the report

Run the report setting the parameters to reflect the month of April 2003 (01/04/2003 – 30/04/2003). Check the output result against the diagram below.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Click the Run button. The Parameter dialog box prompts you for the dates.
2. Click the Browse button and enter the following dates:
   • Greater than or Equal to: 01/04/2003
   • Less than or Equal to: 30/04/2003
3. Click OK. The data is exported to Microsoft Excel.

4. Compare the output to the figure below to ensure that it is correct.

   Note:The dates must reflect only transactions between 01/04/2003 and 30/04/2003.

   

Step 4: Link the Microsoft Excel report back to Sage Intelligence Reporting

Link the resulting workbook to the Report Manager as a template.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Select the Customer Documents History with parameters report in the Report Manger.
2. Click the Create and Link Template button.
3. Select the Customer Documents History with parameters1 book and click OK. The Specify a Template name dialog box is displayed.
4. Leave the default name unchanged and click OK. The Microsoft Excel workbook is converted to a template and linked to the report.
5. Ensure the Report Manager is active for the next exercise.

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