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30 Report Studio
Chapter 1: Report Studio
The packages that you use to generate reports are based on models that are created in the
modeling tool, Framework Manager. A model is a set of related objects, such as query subjects,
dimensions, filters, and calculations. When you open a package in Cognos 8, these model objects
are visible in the left frame.
The package must be previously created and published to the Cognos Connection portal. For
more information, see the Framework Manager User Guide.
Steps
1. In the Cognos Connection Welcome page, click the Report Studio link.
If there is more than one package available, the Select a package page appears. Otherwise,
Report Studio starts.
2. If more than one package exists, click the one you want to use.
3. In the Welcome dialog box, choose whether to open a new or existing report or template:
•
To create a new report or template, click Create a new report or template and choose a
report template.
•
To open an existing report or template, click Open an existing report or template and
select a report.
Objects from the selected package, such as data items, appear on the source tab of the Insertable
Objects pane.
Tip: You can later change packages (p.146).
Refresh the Package
If the package that a report is using has changed, refresh it to ensure that you are working with
the latest version.
Steps
1. In the Insertable Objects pane, click the source tab.
2. Right-click its background and click Refresh.
Tip: You can also close and reopen the report to upgrade it to the latest version of the package.
Choose a Report Template
When creating a new report, choose a report template to get you quickly started. You can select a
predefined template that is formatted as a particular report type (p.43), or you can open an
existing report as a template.
Steps
1. From the File menu, click New.
2. If you want to change the package, click the ellipsis points (...) and click a different package.
3. Choose a report template:
•
To create a report using one of Report Studio’s predefined templates, double-click the
template you want.
Tip: Double-click Query Studio Template to create a report template that Query Studio
users can apply to their reports.
•
To create a report using a previously created template, double-click Existing, locate the
template, and click Open.
Tip: Click the Type box and then click Templates to only see existing templates.
•
To open an existing report as a template, double-click Existing, locate the report, and
click Open. You are actually opening a copy of the report, and the original report remains
unchanged.
The report template appears in the report page. For more information about templates, see
"Creating Your Own Report Templates" (p. 37).