Creating a report template

  1. Right-click the Report Templates folder and select New > Report Template.
    The Create Report dialog is displayed.
  2. Specify a name for the template.
  3. Optionally, select a style sheet to apply to the template.
    To prevent users applying a different style sheet, select Set as default style sheet.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Select Design mode.
  6. Double-click the template in the report catalog.
    The blank template is displayed.
  7. Right-click the template in the report catalog and select Report Parameters.
    When users create a report from the template, they must specify a value for each parameter.
  8. Click Add a Report Parameter.
    A blank Variable field is created.
  9. Select a variable.
    Typically, the first and second parameters are variables which hold the data connection and cube respectively.

    To make a parameter dependent on another, use the Left and Right arrows to indent it. For example, indent the Cube parameter under the connection parameter.

  10. In the Type column, select the appropriate type for the variable. Examples of types are Data Connection, Cube and Dimension.
  11. Optionally, specify a description.
    A description can advise users how to specify the required value.
  12. If the selected variable has a default value, the value is displayed in the Default column.
    To display the value to users when they create a report from the template, select the check box in the Default column.

    To prevent users selecting a different value for the variable, select the Default check box.

    To enable users to select different variable values from a look up, select the variable or list which contains the look up values.

  13. Specify further variables as required to define the structure of the report.
  14. Optionally, click the Style Sheets tab and expand the list of style sheets. Select which style sheets will be available to users when they create a report from the template.
  15. Optionally, specify an extended description of the template. The extended description is displayed in the first step of the Report Wizard.
    Click the browse button in the Extended description of report parameters field to display the Edit Names and Texts dialog.
  16. Click OK.
Related topics
  • Using default and fixed parameter values
  • Inserting localizable text