Dynamic reports

For example, you can add a combo box from which users can select a slice dimension. Or, you can create a fully dynamic report in which users can select which data connection, cube and dimensions to report on and to select, for example, by drag & drop, which dimensions to use on the column and row axes.

Such fully dynamic reports are database-independent and are unaffected by changes to the structure of a data cube.

This section describes various methods and techniques for adding dynamism to reports.

Good practice

Creating dynamic reports involves using report and global variables. Use report variables where possible:

• It is not easy to identify to which reports global variables relate. Using report variables keeps the Global Variables folder free of variables of which the purpose is not clear.
• Report snapshots store only report variables. If the report uses global variables, the snapshot may not display the data you expect.
• In Application Studio Service you can open the same report in separate tabs and update each instance independently. You might, for example, store a date in a global variable. If you change its value in one instance of the report, the second instance of the report is not updated. If you then write back a value in the second instance, it will not be written back as expected.