Free Format Template

Introduction

Besides the standard delivered templates there is also the capability to create your own free format templates. These new templates can then be used to generate new reports by the Administrator. New templates can be created such as 2 Tables, 2 tables and a linked chart. A number of controls can be added into the template and these are detailed below. In addition the controls can be linked to each other, such that a selection of an item in one control can update the details in one or any number of other controls, it can also be used to update the POV for the whole report if required. It is also possible to copy an existing free format template and then modify the contents to speed up the process of building new templates.

CONTENT

How to create a new Template

You can find the Create New Template button in the Report Administration ribbon.

The Wizard will guide you through the steps to create an empty Template. The Template Settings tab consists of the following fields.

Name

Description

Mandatory

New Template Name

 

Yes

Help Text

Additional

No

Also Create a Report

Automatically create a Report From the Template

Yes

New Report Name

Name of the Report (applicable if chosen to create a Report)

Yes

Select a Source System

 Select a Source System for the Report to get it's data from (applicable if chosen to create a Report)

Yes

The Menu & Authorization tab is only used if you have chosen to create a report. In this tab you select the following:

  • Select a Menu to contain the report
  • Select which User Groups have access to the Report

 

To copy an existing free format template, use the context menu of the free format template and select Copy. 

Design Mode

Introduction

You can Format a Free Format Template in Design Mode. Design Mode is Turned on by clicking the Edit Layout in the Layout Ribbon.

Add / Edit / Delete Controls

In the Design Mode you can Add, Edit and Delete Controls.

  • Add: To add a Control click the desired Control and enter the Basic Parameters. Read more about these parameters in the available Controls Section
  • Edit:
    • Change Properties: Right click the Control to select Properties... Here you can change the Name, the size and if it should Show a Border.
    • Move Control: Just drag the control to its destination.
  • Delete: Right click the Control to select Remove

Available Controls

Control

Description

Table

The Table Control allows you to enter a (Multi-Column) Table

Bars & Lines Chart

Bars And Lines Chart

Comment

The Comment Control provides the Comments & Narratives Functionality

Bridge

The Bridge shows the positive or negative contribution of a region or any analytical dimension member to the deviation between two categories for an account.

Pie Chart

Pie Chart

Gauge

Gauge Chart

Multiple Scenario

Multiple Scenario Chart

Value TreeValue tree 

Item Selector

Allows to insert a separate item selector which can be for multiple controls at once

Web View

With the use of the Browser Control you can enter a web element. (E.g. Web page, a picture, etc.)

Container

A Container "Contains" the Controls used in the template. A container can be used for one control or can hold several controls (All controls come with their own Container). It is normal to send the container to the back of all the controls that you want to appear to be sat within the container. this can be useful to display linked controls and separate them from other controls.

Precision and Scale

Show the precision and scale for the report and allow the user to change the settings when running the report

Application Info

Display the name of the Application (which is set within the Application settings within the Design Studio) , also the date that the Data was last refreshed for the application and a link to information about CXO Cockpit.

Example

DEMO, REFRESHED: 01/04/2014 09:26:24 INFO

Label

The Label Control is used to enter any text (Not changeable in the cockpit itself), The label can contain simple text ( or HTML if selected) and references to dimensional information, data cells and any other available static indicators. Dimensional Information is referenced as XXX where XXX equals the Dimension see Dynamic Label Expressions. Data cells can be referenced from an associated list defined within the parameter dat for the label and are referenced as [DATA][X]] where X equals the index for the data element eg 1 = first row of the selected list.

Static indicators include the following

  • [APPLICATION] displays the name of the application
  • [CUBEDATE] date of the last update of the source system
  • [INFO] clickable link to display the about window
  • [PREC] textual value of the precision
  • [SCALE] Textual value of the scale
  • [SCALE].Number
  • [SCALE].Link link to the value of the scale and allow changes by the user

Link to Report

The Report Link Control is used to navigate to a different report from the current report

News Items

Display News Items

 

Template / Report Parameter

You can set all Parameters per Control. In order to recognize which parameter belongs to which control, every Template Parameter or Report Parameter is preceded by the name of the control. The name is made up of the type of the control and a number.