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Author's profile photo Didier MAZOUE

Sort columns using input controls in read-only access

Web Intelligence input controls have been introduced in SAP Business Objects Web Intelligence 3.1.

The document goal is to help end users to use input controls to change report behavior, design, appearance, etc. using some Web Intelligence functionalities that are only available for report creators.

This document is one of different documents to be published soon.

Sort columns using input controls in read-only access

As an end user, I would like to be able to change the column sort in a given block.

If I only have “read” rights I am not able to change and I need to ask the designer to do it for me and to republish the document.

This seems a bit painful to me because what this is a very convenient feature that I would like to have as an end user.

To solve this issue, we will create an input control to dynamically change the sort column. Moreover, we will also add a conditional formatting to highlight the column currently used for the sort.

We have to create 3 variables:

  • Sort column: is a dimension and contains the position of the column in the block.
    Formula: =1
  • Sorted measure name: is a dimension and contains the name of the sorted column. This variable references “Sort column” variable and used in the conditional formatting.
    Formula: =If [Sort Column] = 1 Then “Extended Amount”
    ElseIf [Sort Column] = 1 Then “Extended Amount”
    ElseIf [Sort Column] = 2 Then “Freight Cost” …
  • Sorted column: is a measure and contains the sorted column. This variable references “Sort column” variable and used in the sort.
    Formula: =If [Sort Column] = 1 Then [Extended Amount]
    ElseIf [Sort Column] = 1 Then [Extended Amount]
    ElseIf [Sort Column] = 2 Then [Freight Cost] …

The conditional formatting rule change the color of the column header when the column is sorted and is using “Sorted measure name” variable.

Sort columns using input controls in read-only access - 1.png

The sort is easy and based on “Sorted column” variable.

Sort columns using input controls in read-only access - 2.png

Now, we have to create the input control based on “Sort column” variable.

Sort columns using input controls in read-only access - 3.png

Now, I can change the sorted column in read-only mode.

Sort columns using input controls in read-only access - 4.png

Sort columns using input controls in read-only access - 5.png

Sort columns using input controls in read-only access - 6.png

You can download the document I used to illustrate my purpose.

You can also view the video posted on Youtube: https://youtu.be/FGSWaPP-CbQ

Didier MAZOUE

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      4 Comments
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      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Nice Idea of sorting in read mode.

      One suggestion is rather asking the user to give Sort Column number, if you can give a drop to select a column to sort then i feel it will be easy for the end user to choose a column

      Author's profile photo William MARCY
      William MARCY

      Great Webi trick !

      You've been added to Webi 4.x tricks : summary for a better visibility. Keep posting !

      William

      Author's profile photo William Peck
      William Peck

      Holy Cow – – – this worked exactly as advertised, and FANTASTIC !

      I was messing around with two report tabs and realized they had the exact same information, and I was like – Ugh, I wish I could sort this on the fly in View mode – – – and I got it !!!!

      although ... can you add something to specify ASC or DESC sort?

      Thanks!

      Author's profile photo Greg Gianuzzi
      Greg Gianuzzi

      Just what our users were looking for!  Thanks!

      In order to get mine to work, I had to add the variable "Sorted column" to the table (such as the last column) otherwise I could not add it to the sort list.  (it appears to me you did the same in the pictures above then changed the foreground and background color and shrunk down the column width).  Since we could not hide the variable, I set mine to a cell width of 0 and it disappeared.