Creating Parameters Oracle Fusion Middleware Online Documentation Library

Advanced Discoverer Desktop Features 8-5 You can enter a reserved word into a parameter field, however the reserved word must have the same data type as the parameter e.g. SYSDATE or TODAY can only be used with a parameter that has the data type DATE. You can enter the following reserved words into a parameter field: ■ SYSDATE or TODAY Enter the reserved word SYSDATE or TODAY into a parameter field must be of data type DATE to display worksheet data that matches the system or today’s date. ■ USER Enter the reserved word USER into a parameter field must be of the same datatype as the datatype of the parameter to display worksheet data that matches all database users. ■ NULL Enter the reserved word NULL into a parameter field must be of data type DATE, STRING or NUMERIC to display worksheet data where the item that this parameter is based upon has a NULL value.

8.2.1 Loading Multiple Values

If the option Let User Enter Multiple Values is selected for a worksheet’s parameters, the person opening the worksheet can select multiple values for the parameter. Here’s an example: Note: If you want to change the Parameter value for your worksheet, you can also use the Refresh option to display the Parameter dialog for active Parameters. Note: You must enter reserved words using only capital letters and with no additional text or text symbols. For example, you cannot use NULL or null or ’NULL’. Discoverer Desktop would treat ’NULL’ as a text string and not as a reserved word. 8-6 Oracle Fusion Middleware Users Guide for Oracle Business Intelligence Discoverer Desktop Figure 8–5 Choosing Multiple Parameters Key to Figure 8–5 :

a. When you can load multiple values, the drop-down list includes the option to Select

multiple values .

b. The Values dialog box displays a list of values that can be selected. Selected values

are marked with a selected check box. Click Select All to select all values in the list..

8.3 Creating Calculations

Discoverer Desktop Calculations are used to analyze the data in your worksheets. Discoverer Desktop provides a comprehensive range of pre-defined functions for use in your Calculations. Simple Calculations based on the data in a worksheet can produce typical business answers, such as sales commissions per salesperson, royalty fees paid to a supplier, and so on. Complex Calculations can find the answers to more complicated questions including “what if” scenarios. In other words, instead of merely viewing your data to find trends and answers, you can use Calculations to rigorously analyze the data using mathematical techniques. The results of Calculations are displayed as new columns on a worksheet, or the Calculations can be part of other Calculations. You can also pivot Calculation Items to the page axis, just like other Items. Note: To see examples of how you can use Calculations to analyze your Discoverer Desktop data, refer to Appendix A.2, About the examples in this chapter .