In this article, we'll explain how to add Input Controls to a Business Objects report. Input controls are also used to filter the view of the data. They are most useful for an administrator to quickly switch between different filtering options.
Each report is supplied with a selection of Input Controls. A few things to know about Input controls:
- Can be configured with drop down, list or checkbox selections.
- Allow for multiple Object values to be selected
- Can be configured to apply to one or all report tabs
- Can be created from scratch
- Can apply to all report pages, or a a specific report page only
Steps to apply an Input Control
For this example, we'll use the ‘Training Status: all training’ report
- Select an Input Control in the left panel. The Input Controls menu opens, in which the preconfigured Input Controls are available.
- Select the value(s) on which to filter. Input Controls cascade, so if a selection is made in the ‘Primary user Group’ drop-down menu, then the following ‘LMS Full Name’ drop-down menu will show only the Users for the selected primary Group.
- To remove an input Control, Select the All Values option and click OK. Or click Reset in the Input Controls toolbar
Advanced actions with Input Controls
Create new Input Controls. When viewed in Design mode, further options will be available, including ‘New’ and ‘Group’:
Apply to specific report tabs only. Custom Input Controls can be configured to apply either to a single report tab or to the entire document.
When to use Prompts, Simple Filters and Input controls
Which method should you use? This may depend on who will view the report, and how it will be shared. A few points to consider are:
Prompts will exclude the data from the report view. This increases report efficiency and runtime.
Simple Filters are good for a one-off tweak of the data; however, because they can apply only to the report tab in which they were created, it may be better to use Prompts or Input Controls.
Simple filters do not cascade, so where multiple filters are added, there may be a conflict. If a more complex refinement of the data is required, try using Prompts or Input Controls.