Using Database Tables as Source

Building a Report - the Basics

If you want to ...

Perform these steps ...

Start the Report Designer

To access the Report Designer, select:

Start Menu path separator All Programs Menu path separator Pentaho Enterprise Edition Menu path separator Design Tools Menu path separator Report Designer.

To create a new report, select File Menu path separator New

Define the Source of the Data

To select a Data Source, you need to right-click on the Data Sets.

In the Pentaho Report Designer can select from a range of Data Sources. For SAI360 reports based on the Data Warehouse database, select:

  • JDBC:
    if you intend to use SQL scripts to retrieve data from a database, or a view.

Use JDBC to retrieve Data

To retrieve data via a SQL script, you will need:

  • a DB Connection: in here you define how you connect to the database which holds the data.

    Report Designer - database connection

    If you intend to migrate a report between environments, it is essential that you access the Database via JNDI.

    This connection can be re-used for all reports which are based on the same database.
  • the SQL Queries to determine
    - the fields needed for the report
    - any filter which may apply

    Report Designer - sql query to retrieve data

 

Design the format and layout of a report.

Please refer to the information which is accessible from within the Pentaho Report Designer.

Publish Report to SAI360, so that it can be used in the Web Application

Once a report has been defined and is ready for use in the SAI360 Web Application, it needs to be "published" to the BI Server. To do so:

  • Open the report in the Report Designer
  • Select File Menu path separator Publish
  • The first time you do this in the Report Designer, you will need to enter the URL and BI Credentials. Make sure to tick "Remember These Settings":

    Report Designer - login setting for server for publishing
  • Enter the Publish Details for the report:
    - File Name/Title/Report Description: self explanatory
    - Location: select the folder into which the report shall be placed
    - Output Type: select the (default) format in which to render the report.
    - Lock: if you tick this box, the user will NOT be able to select alternative Output Type when the report is being run in SAI360.

    Report Designer - details for publish

See Also

Use of the SAI360 BI Report Designer

Using Cubes/Schemas as Source

Building a Report - Using Parameters

Using SAI360 Parameters for BI Reports

Building a Report - Showing Related Data in Sub-Reports

Hyperlinks to SAI360 in BI Reports

Including Images in a Report

Including "Sparklines" into a Report

Use of Profile Values in a Report

Conditional Formatting of Data

Internationalization/Localization of Reports