Cognos Analytics Getting Started User Guide 2018

IBM Cognos Analytics
Version 11.0
Getting Started User Guide
IBM
©
Product Information
This document applies to IBM Cognos Analytics version 11.0.0 and may also apply to subsequent releases.
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with IBM Corp.
Contents
Chapter 1. Get started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Search and find content. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Navigation tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
View and interact with content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Subscribing to reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Managing your subscriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Run variations of reports with report views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Report versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Link behavior when you copy, move, or rename . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Set properties for entries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Scheduling entries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Chapter 2. Get started video tutorials and samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Creating my first report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Creating my first report - part two. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Creating my first active report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Chapter 3. Setting your preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Language settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Turn UI hints on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Setting the default format for report runs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Hiding and showing hidden entries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Managing logging levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Chapter 4. Credentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Renewing your credentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Managing your credentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Managing your data server credentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Chapter 5. Access permissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Simple and granular access permissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Setting permissions for content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Viewing your permissions for content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Viewing your permissions for functions and features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Chapter 6. Sources of data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Uploading data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Creating data sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Chapter 7. Sharing and embedding Cognos Analytics content . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Share or embed a content object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Authentication sample with embedded content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Chapter 8. Creating custom URLs to display and run Cognos Analytics content . . . . 33
promptParameters option syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Chapter 9. Integrating with other Cognos products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

The IBM Cognos Software Development Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Functionality mapping from Cognos BI to Cognos Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Move from quirks to standards mode HTML . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Opening companion apps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2005, 2015 iii

Appendix. About this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
iv IBM Cognos Analytics Version 11.0: Getting Started User Guide

Chapter 1. Get started
IBM® Cognos® Analytics integrates reporting, modeling, analysis, dashboards,
stories, metrics, and event management so you can understand your organization's
data, and make effective business decisions.
After the software is installed and configured, administrators set up security and
manage data sources. Next comes the data. You can get started yourself by
uploading local files and applying visualizations in dashboards or stories. For
enterprise-level data, modelers are next in the workflow. After data modules and
packages are available, report authors can then create reports for business users
and analysts. Administrators maintain the system on an ongoing basis.
Whether you're an analyst, report author, data modeler, or an administrator, you

start by signing in to the Welcome portal from your desktop or mobile device.
There are coach marks in the user interface to help you discover what's where.
For links to videos, getting started resources, expert blogs, events, and more, you
can tap in the application bar and visit the IBM Cognos Analytics community
(www.ibm.com/communities/analytics/cognos-analytics/).
If you want to start with video tutorials and sample data, see Chapter 2, “Get
started video tutorials and samples,” on page 9.
Depending on the work you do, you use different areas of the interface. There are
IBM Cognos Analytics capabilities associated with the following areas and you see
only those that you work with:
Welcome portal
Run reports, search for content, view My content, Team content, and
Recent lists, open dashboards, open stories and other items, upload files,
check your notifications, set your preferences and home page, and review
your subscriptions.
Delete, copy, move, edit, run as, set properties, set permissions and more,
depending on the type of entry in the content list.
- Create report views for a report directly without using the
Reporting view.
- Create shortcuts to reports, dashboards, stories, or data modules.
A shortcut is a link to an object in a different location. If the original object
is moved or renamed, the shortcut no longer works.
Tap to create new reports, data modules, dashboards, or stories.

Reporting
Create and edit a wide range of professional reports. Use templates or
customize your reports with prompts, bursting, advanced charts and
visualizations.
For more information, see the Cognos Analytics Reporting Guide.
Data modeling
Modelers and administrators shape data, create modules and packages and
make them available to people that create and use reports. You can use the
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2005, 2015 1

IBM Cognos Analytics modeling tool to quickly create data modules from
various data sources such as data servers, uploaded files, and previously
saved data modules. The tool is intent-driven and generates a base module
by using terms that you define.
For more information, see the Cognos Analytics Data Modeling Guide.
Dashboards and stories
View, monitor, and communicate data insights and analysis with
dashboards or stories. You can assemble a view that contains visualizations
such as graphs, charts, plots, tables, maps, or any other visual
representation of data. Enrich dashboards and stories with web pages and
other content.
For more information, see the Cognos Analytics Dashboards and Stories
User Guide.
Manage and administer
Create and manage accounts (users, groups, and roles), schedules, data
source connections, activities, and content stores. Perform configuration
tasks, create new jobs, and open the Administration console for more
management options.
Changes that you make in either the Manage interface or Administration
interface, are effected in both interfaces.
For more information, see Cognos Analytics Managing Guide and the
Cognos Analytics Administration and Security Guide.
Search and find content

You can find IBM Cognos Analytics reports, dashboards, stories, data, files, folders,
packages and other items by opening your My content or Team content folders or
by checking your Recent list. But Search is a quick, easy way to find your items.
Figure 1. Find your content
To find items, type keywords and tap the Enter key. You can also search for text
including table or column labels, XML report specifications, URL items, shortcuts,
templates, and more. Search doesn't return results for content that's archived, but
you can access archived content from a report that's listed in one of your folders.
2 IBM Cognos Analytics Version 11.0: Getting Started User Guide

Narrow your search with filters
If your search returns too many results, you can tap the filter icon and
select the options you want. The filter option is only available after you do
an initial search.
Save searches
After you search and the results are listed, you can save your search. If
you included filter options in your search, these options are also saved.
The save option is only available after you search.
Team content
Your organization's content is in the Team content folder. This is

where you find reports, packages, dashboards, stories, models, and more.
Items in Team content are organized in folders, so searching with
keywords is an easy way to find what you're looking for.
View report output versions and archived versions
For a report in a list, tap and then tap the View versions icon .
Navigation tips
Tapping around in the IBM Cognos Analytics user interface helps you discover
how things work. Here are a few navigation tips to speed your discovery.
Run a report from the My content or Team content list
Tap the name of a report or tap for the Run as option.
Select entries in content lists
Tap their icons or tap the space beside the entry names.
Add a folder to My content or Team content
The content lists open in a narrow view. To open the wide view where you
can add folders, sort, and filter content, tap .
View and interact with content

You search and find an IBM Cognos Analytics report in the Team content folder,
and then you run it. The report opens in a viewer. You now have different options,
such as subscribe, save as a report view, edit in reporting, and more. The available
options depend on the type of report or the item that you view. When a report
runs in the interactive viewer, you also have options to see different data in the
report by filtering, drilling up and down, and more.
Choose the options that best suit your needs for viewing frequency and
personalization. If you want to see a report on a regular basis, subscribe to it. If it's
really important, you can set it as your home page. If you entered prompt and
parameter values and you want to save those so you don't have to enter them
every time, save the report as a report view. If you choose to edit, the report opens
in Reporting with all the tools you need. Depending on the item type, the
appropriate actions are available in the viewer:
v Subscribe. Delivers reports with your prompt values and options.

v Save as report view. Saves your prompt values and options in a view.
v Set as home.
Chapter 1. Get started 3

v Edit. Opens Reporting.
v Run as. Choose the output format.
v Save and Save as.
If you view saved report output, and you want to be alerted when there's a new
version of the report, tap Notify me. You can easily find entries in Team content
by searching and by viewing the Recent items list. But you can also save and
organize your items in My content which is useful for saving report views with
your custom prompts or for saving report output versions. Your My content folder
is your private area and only you can see the content that's stored there.
When a report runs in the interactive viewer, the following options are available in
the toolbar that appears when you select a report object:
v Sort data .
v In lists, group data .
v Summarize data .
v Convert a list or crosstab to a chart, or change a chart to a different chart type
.
v In crosstabs and charts, suppress columns or rows or swap columns and
rows .
v Drill through to another report.
v Add calculated members .

v Drill up, drill down, and perform dimensional operations, such as
top/bottom filtering .
v Run the report as Excel or CSV output.
v Select and interact with the elements of a chart, such as the bars in a bar
chart.
v View lineage information for a data item .

v Access a business glossary, such as the IBM InfoSphere® Information
Governance Catalog, for a data item .
v Create, edit or remove filters .

v Share or embed report output, preserving the context of the current view
of the report, such as prompt values.
To share or embed report output, click the More icon and then click Share
or Embed.
v Run a report as the report owner or with the capabilities granted to the
owner.
In the Cognos Analytics portal, access the Properties slideout of the report, click
the Report tab, and then open the Advanced section.

Subscribing to reports
If you use an IBM Cognos Analytics report regularly, you can subscribe to it. When
you subscribe, you pick the time, date, format, and where you want it delivered.
When you subscribe to a report, the subscription includes all your prompt and
parameter values.
About this task
The subscription option is available when you run and view a report, but not
when you are in editing mode or when you view saved output. If you edit a
report, you must save it before you can subscribe.
After you subscribe, each time your report is delivered, you are notified. In the
Welcome portal, tap Notifications, and find a message with a link to view the
report output.
Procedure
1. Run a report.
2. In the application bar, tap and then tap the Subscribe icon .
3. Select your subscription options, and then tap Create. Your subscription is
created. To view and modify your subscriptions, tap your user name, and then
tap My subscriptions.
Managing your subscriptions

If you subscribe to IBM Cognos Analytics reports, you can view all your
subscriptions on the My subscriptions panel. You can enable, disable, modify, or
delete subscriptions, and view their saved outputs or archived versions. If you
view the versions, you can also open the version details panel for information such
as the run status, error messages, and run time.
Procedure
1. Tap your user name, and then tap My subscriptions.
2. For an entry in the list, tap and then tap the action that you want.
Notifications
Notifications help you stay on top of important data. If you subscribe to a report
or report view, you are notified every time your subscription is delivered. If you
view saved output and you want to know when there's a new version of the
report, you can tap the Notify me button.
The Notify me button is available in the application bar when you view a
saved output version of a report. If you request notification and then someone
runs that report, you get a notification with a link to the updated version.
When you subscribe, if you choose the Save the report on the system delivery
option, you receive a notification with a link to the new report version. To see all
your notifications, tap in the navigation bar.
For more information, see “Subscribing to reports.”

Run variations of reports with report views
If you want to run an existing IBM Cognos Analytics report, but run it with
different prompt values, schedules, delivery methods, run options, languages, or
output formats, you can create a report view. Creating a report view does not
change the original report.
To create a report view, run a report using the prompt values or other run options
that you want and in the save options, select Save as report view. Your prompt
values and run options are saved in the view. If you want to edit the prompt
values for the report view, open the report view properties panel.
You can also create a report view in My content or Team content. Tap next to a
report, and then tap Create report view.
In the properties panel for the report view, you can see a link to the source report.
If the source report is moved to another location, the report view link is
maintained. If the source report is deleted, the report view link breaks.
Agents can also be saved as views.
Report versions
If you run IBM Cognos Analytics reports, you see the latest data from the data
source. But often you view report versions and outputs, such as when a report you
subscribe to is delivered. Report outputs are generated by subscriptions, schedules,
multiple formats or languages, bursting, and delivery methods that include save,
print, and email.
In many instances, you are notified and receive a link to view report output, but
you can also view saved and archived versions for reports in your content lists.
To view report versions and archived versions
For a report in a content list, tap and then tap View versions.
Save a report version
In the application bar, when you view a report, tap either , or .

The location of the save option depends on the type of report you view.
You also have the Save as option of saving the report version under a
different name or in a different location.
Delete saved outputs for report versions
For a report in a content list, tap . Tap View versions, tap an entry
in the list, and then tap the delete icon. Deleting removes all saved output
formats for the version.

Figure 2. Delete saved output for a report version
Link behavior when you copy, move, or rename

Reports are typically associated with packages in IBM Cognos Analytics and can
have other links as well. When you copy and move reports or other items, the IDs
and links are either maintained or overwritten.
If you copy or move a report from one folder to another, the report retains its ID
and any links, including the link to the associated package.
However, when you overwrite an existing report, the link behavior depends on
whether you copy or move an entry.
v If you copy and overwrite an existing report, the copied report ID and links
replace those of the existing report. In this case, you might need to update links,
such as links to job schedules.
v If you move and overwrite an existing report, the existing report ID and links
are maintained. In this case, references to the moved entry are broken.
If you rename an entry, the ID is retained and references to the entry from other
entries are not broken. For example, a package has reports, agents, and
drill-through definitions associated with it. When you rename the package, the
references in the associated reports, agents, and drill-through definitions are not
broken.
- If you create a shortcut to a content object, the shortcut does not work if
the original content object is renamed or moved.
Set properties for entries

You can control the way entries appear and behave in IBM Cognos Analytics by
modifying their properties.
You can view and set general and advanced properties for reports, folders,
dashboards, stories, uploaded files, data modules, and other entries. When you
open the properties panel, you see the General tab and the Permissions tab for all
entries, and the tabs that are appropriate for the entry you're viewing, such as
Report and Schedule for reports.
To open the properties panel for an entry, from its More menu , tap Properties.

Scheduling entries
Report analysts can subscribe to reports and receive them on a regular basis, but
there are additional scheduling tasks that are typically done by administrators.
While administrators can view schedules in the Manage part of the user interface,
schedules for entries can also be accessed from the Properties panel for the entry.
About this task
For information on scheduling, including using jobs to schedule multiple entries,

see the IBM Cognos Analytics Manage Guide. To view the schedule for an entry, use
the following steps.
Procedure
1. For the item, tap and then tap the Properties icon.
2. In the Properties panel, tap the Schedule tab.

Chapter 2. Get started video tutorials and samples
If your administrator installs and configures the samples that are available with
IBM Cognos Analytics, you can experiment with sample data, metrics, and report
templates.
If you're a beginning user, there are Get started tutorials with samples (including
data), videos, and written procedures to guide you through creating your first
reports, active reports, and dashboards.
These Get started samples and the sample data are in Team content, in the Get
started folder. The Data folder includes Microsoft Excel files that were uploaded
and saved for you to use with the Get started tutorials. The Version 11.0.x report
is added only to inform you about the version of IBM Cognos Analytics that these
samples are included with. To do the tutorials, open the samples to see the
finished product, then click the link beside this icon to watch the tutorial
video. (For some samples, the video link is embedded). Open the PDF documents
that are available with the videos and follow the steps to recreate the samples
yourself.
For more information, see the IBM Cognos Analytics Samples Guide.
Creating my first report

Use our video tutorial and written steps, along with our sample, data to create
your first report. In this tutorial you will choose a template and theme, add data,
add a line visualization, sort, set your report properties, and add a crosstab.
About this task
If the samples were installed by your administrator, you can find them in Team
content > Get started. The samples use Microsoft Excel files that were uploaded
and saved in Get started > Data.
To see a sample of the report that you create in this tutorial, open My first
report.When you're ready, click the link beside the play icon to watch the
video and use the following steps to create your first report.
Note that when you select the 2 rows template, your empty report is a table with
two empty cells.
Procedure
1. In the navigation bar (on your home or Welcome page), click the New icon
, then click Report.

2. On the Templates tab, select the 2 rows template.
3. Click the Themes tab, select the Blue theme, and click OK. Next we'll add
data.
4. On the Source tab, click the Add report data icon . Select Team content >
Get started > Data > Banking loss events and click Open.
5. To name your report, double-click the report title placeholder, type BANKING
LOSS EVENTS and click OK.
Next, you add a visualization.
6. In the first empty table cell, click the Add icon and then click the
Visualization icon. If the Visualization icon is not pinned, do the following
step: in the navigation bar click the Toolbox icon and expand the DATA
CONTAINER section. Drag Visualization and drop it into the table cell.
7. In the Visualization gallery, select the Line check box, select the Line with
palette and theme visualization, and click OK twice.
Now, you add data to the visualization.
8. On the Source tab, expand the Banking loss events data tree. (You might need
to click the Data icon first to open the Data panel.) Do the following
steps:
a. Double-click Net Loss. This data item is added as the Size value.
b. Double-click Year. This data item is added as the Categories value.
c. Double-click Region. This data item is added as the Series value.
Next, you sort the years.
9. Click on the visualization to select it. In Categories text box, right click on
<#Year#>, click the sort icon, and then click Ascending.
Now, you size the line visualization.
10. Click on the visualization to select it, then in the application bar, click the
properties icon. For the Width value, type 900. For the Height value, type
200.
11. In the title space above the visualization, double-click the title placeholder and
type NET LOSS OVER YEAR BY REGION, then click OK.
Next, you add a crosstab to the report.
12. In the second table cell, click the Add icon and then click the Crosstab
icon. In the dialogue box that opens, accept the default values and click OK.
Now, you add data to the crosstab.
13. On the Source tab, with the Banking loss events data tree expanded, do the
following steps:
a. Double-click Risk Category. This data item is added as the Rows value.
b. Double-click Year. This data item is added as the Columns value.
c. Double-click Region. This data item is added as the Measures value.
14. In the crosstab, select and right-click <#Risk Category#>. In the toolbar, click
the sort icon, and then click Ascending.
15. Select and right-click <#Year#>, click the sort icon, and then click
Ascending.
16. With <#Year#> still selected, click the Horizontal alignment icon and
click Right.
17. To size the crosstab, select it. Then, in the Table panel, select the Size and
overflow positioning property and click its More icon. In the Size and
overflow dialogue box, change the width value to 90 percent. Click Apply
and OK.

18. In the title space above the crosstab, double-click the title placeholder and
type NET LOSS OVER YEAR BY RISK CATEGORY, then click OK.
19. To preview the report, click the Run options icon and click Run HTML.
Results
Congratulations. You created your first report. If you want to open the report again
later, save it in My content.
What to do next
If you want to learn how to convert your visualization to another type, specify
data formats, add totals to a crosstab, and create a conditional style, do the next
tutorial, Creating my first report (part two).
Creating my first report - part two

Use our video tutorial and written steps, to convert a visualization to another type,
specify data formats, add totals to a crosstab, and create a conditional style.
About this task

content > Get started. The samples use Microsoft Excel files that we uploaded and
saved in Get started > Data.
To see a sample of the report that you create in this tutorial, open My first report
(part 2). Select from the drop-down list in the title area to filter the visualizations.
When you're ready, click the link beside the play icon to watch the tutorial
video and use the following steps to edit your first report.
Procedure
1. Click Team content > Get started > 1. My first report. Click the More icon
and select Edit report.
Now, you change the line visualization into a column visualization.
2. Click to select the visualization, then right click. In the toolbar, click the More
icon , and click Convert Visualization.
3. In the Refine by list, select the Column check box and then select Column with
palette and theme. Click OK.
Next, format the data so that it's represented in millions.
4. In the column visualization, select Net Loss and right click. In the toolbar, click
the Data format icon. Set the following properties:
v Format type: Currency
v Currency symbol: M
v Currency symbol position: End
v Number of decimal places: 0
v Scale: -6
Click OK.
Now, add row and column totals to the crosstab.
Chapter 2. Get started video tutorials and samples 11

5. Select any measure (example: <#1234#>) and right click. In the toolbar, click the
Summarize icon and from the drop-down select Total.

6. To set the data format in the crosstab, Ctrl+click to select all four of the
measure cells, then in the application bar, click the Properties icon.
7. From the properties list, select Data format and click it's More icon. Set the
following properties:
v Format type: Currency
v Currency symbol: M
v Currency symbol position: End
v Number of decimal places: 0
v Scale: -6
Click OK.
8. To align the new labels with their cell values, select the Total (Year) cell and
right click. In the toolbar, click the Horizontal alignment icon and click
Right.
9. Select the Total (Risk Category) cell and right click. In the toolbar, click the
Horizontal alignment icon and click Left.
Creating my first active report

Use our video tutorial and written steps, along with our samples and data to
create your first active report. In this tutorial you will choose a template and
theme, add data, add a visualization, copy and paste, add a data drop-down list
(filter), create a connection, and run your first active report.
About this task
content > Get started. The samples use Microsoft Excel files that we uploaded and
saved in Get started > Data. Open the My first active report sample to see the
finished product. Try selecting from the drop-down list in the title area to filter the
visualizations. Click the link beside the play icon to watch the tutorial video
and use the following steps to create your own first active report.
Note that when you select the 2 by 2 active report template, your empty report is
a table with four empty cells.
Procedure
1. In the navigation bar (on your home or Welcome page), click , then
click Report.
2. On the Templates tab, select the 2 by 2 active report template.
3. Click the Themes tab, select the Cool blue theme, and click OK. Next we'll
add data.
4. On the Source tab, click the Add report data icon . Select Team content >
Get started > Data > American time use and click Open. Now we will add a
visualization.

5. Your report template includes four empty table cells. Click the icon in the
first cell and then click the Visualization icon. If the Visualization icon is not
pinned, do the following: in the navigation bar click the Toolbox icon
and expand the DATA CONTAINER section. Drag Visualization and drop it
into the first container.
6. Select the Pie check box, then the Get started pie and click OK. Next we'll
add data to the visualization.
7. On the Source tab, expand the American time use data tree. (You might need
to click the Data icon first to open the Data panel.) Do the following
steps:
a. Double-click Weekly hours worked. This data item is added as the Size
value.
b. Double-click Gender. This data item is added as the Series value.
c. Drag Education level and drop it in the Extra categories field.
8. Above the visualization, in the title text box, double-click the title placeholder
and type WORKING.
9. In the text box at the top of the report, double-click the title placeholder and
type Education level. Next we'll add a filter to the visualization.
10. Click the Toolbox icon , and expand the ACTIVE REPORT section. Drag
a Data drop-down list and drop it on the right side of the report title text
box. In the Object and query name dialogue box, leave the default information
and click OK. Your report header now looks like the following figure:
Figure 3. Data drop-down list added to header
11. Click the Data icon . In the expanded data tree, double-click the Education
Level item to add it to the Data drop-down list. Your report title now looks
like the following figure:
Figure 4. Data items added to drop-down list

Next we'll connect the Data drop-down list to the visualization to create a
filter.
12. In the toolbar for the Data drop-down list, click the Create a new connection
icon .
13. In the Create a new connection dialogue, in the Behavior drop-down list,
select Filter. In the Name field for the Active Report Variable, type
vEductionLevel, then click the Connect button. The following figure shows
the information you enter in the Create a new connection dialogue:
Now we'll add three more pie visualizations.
Figure 5. Add information to create a new connection
14. In the work area, select the pie visualization. In the visualization toolbar, click
the More icon , then click Copy.
15. Select an empty table cell and in its toolbar, click the More icon, and then
click Paste. Repeat this step for the remaining two table cells.
16. In the new visualizations, double-click the title placeholders and change them
to VOLUNTEERING for pie two, JOB SEARCHING for pie three, and TELEVISION for
pie four.
17. Click the Data icon to open the Data panel. Drag the Volunteering item
over pie number two and drop it into the Size field, to replace the Weekly
Hours Worked value.
18. Drag the Job Searching item from the Data panel over pie number three and
drop it into the Size field, to replace the Weekly Hours Worked value.
19. Drag the Television item from the Data panel over pie number four and drop
it into the Size field to replace the Weekly Hours Worked value. You don't
need to modify the original connection you created between the drop-down
filter and the three new pie visualizations because the filter variable was
copied with the visualizations.
20. To test your report, click the Run options, icon, and select Run Active
Report. The report opens in a new tab.

21. To filter the visualizations, select from the Education level drop-down list.
22. To save this report, return to the first tab where you authored the report and
save it in your My content folder.
What to do next
For more information about active reports, see Active Reports in the Reporting
Guide.

Chapter 3. Setting your preferences
When you start using IBM Cognos Analytics you can choose the default format for
your report runs. You can also set language and regional preferences, email,
password, accessibility support, and more.
To set your preferences, tap your user name and then My preferences.
Language settings
You can select the language that you prefer for the IBM Cognos Analytics user
interface. If your data and reports are available in multiple languages, you can also
select the language that you prefer for the content. Make your selections in My
preferences.
To change the language setting, close all your open items first, select the language
in My preferences, close My preferences, and refresh your browser. The new
language setting takes effect.
There is also support for bidirectional languages such as Hebrew, Arabic, Urdu,
and Farsi. Report authors can control the display of native digits and the direction
of text, crosstabs, and charts.
For more information, see the IBM Cognos Analytics Administration and Security
Guide, and the IBM Cognos Analytics - Reporting User Guide.
Turn UI hints on
When you first sign in to IBM Cognos Analytics, you can see hints that help you
navigate the user interface. If you turn the hints off, but want to show them again,
select the Show hints check box in My preferences.
Setting the default format for report runs

You can set the default run format for your IBM Cognos Analytics reports.
Procedure
1. Tap your user name, then tap My preferences.
2. Select the report format that you want.
Hiding and showing hidden entries

To prevent unnecessary use of IBM Cognos Analytics items such as reports,
packages, folders, jobs, data servers, you have the option of hiding them. This
applies especially to drill-through reports that can waste system resources when
they are run unnecessarily. You can hide drill-through reports, but they remain
enabled as drill-through targets. You can set your preference to show or not show
hidden entries in content lists.
To hide an entry, open its menu and tap Properties. On the General tab, open the
Advanced section and select the Hide this entry check box.

To show hidden entries in your content lists, tap your user name, then My
preferences. On the General tab, select the Show hidden entries check box.
Regardless of the preference that you set, hidden entries are visible, but faded in
the following parts of the user interface:
v Search results.
v Properties panel, Permissions tab.
v Personal tabs.
v Job steps that refer to hidden entries already in a job.
v Agent tasks that refer to hidden entries already in an agent.
v Details in a report run history.
The following rules apply to hidden entries:

v A hidden report is accessible as a drill-through target. Drill-through targets
include parameter values to avoid resource-intensive query operations. However,
users still require appropriate permissions to use this target report in a
drill-through activity.
v A hidden drill-through definition is not displayed in the Go To page if the user
interface does not show hidden entries.
Managing logging levels
In addition to the logging capabilities that exist on the IBM Cognos server, you can
produce logs and error reports for your own workstation. This type of client-side
logging is important for troubleshooting and can cover JavaScript anomalies that
are not detectable from the server environment.
About this task
You can turn logging on or off as well as set the logging level. Under normal
circumstances, logging is on, but the level is set to Error. In some circumstances,
IBM customer support might direct you to increase the logging level. Set it to one
of the following levels:
Error Basic level of logging that tracks only major error messages that occur
during processing on the client workstation.
Warning
The next level of logging that includes all the information from the Error
level of logging and includes warnings about situations that might not
affect your system function.
Information
This level of logging aggregates all previous levels of logging and includes
more detail about the regular operation of the user interface. You might
notice that performance at this level is slower.
Debug
This level of logging contains the most information. Use it if you are
testing your own extensions or when you are advised by a member of the
software development team or customer support. You can expect that
performance at this level is noticeably slower.

Logging levels are stored in the browser cache. If you clear the browser cache,
logging levels return to the default setting.
Procedure
1. From the Welcome toolbar, select My preferences.
Tip: To locate My preferences, click your login name.

2. On the Personal tab, expand the Advanced section.
3. In the Logging entry, click Manage.
4. Ensure that logging is on.
5. Set the Logging level to the level directed by the customer support
representative by clicking the drop-down list and clicking the level.
6. To retrieve logs from the browser console press the F12 key on your keyboard
or from the browser menu, click Developer and then click Web Console.
Tip: For the Firefox web browser, you can use an add-on, such as Firebug to
make it easier to retrieve and save log files from the console.
7. After you are done troubleshooting, return to the Logging preferences window
and ensure that logging is set back to Error to prevent logging from slowing
down your system while you are working.
What to do next
For more information about troubleshooting your system, see the IBM Cognos
Troubleshooting Guide.
Chapter 3. Setting your preferences 19

Chapter 4. Credentials
Your credentials are the user name and password that you use to sign in to IBM
Cognos Analytics. Your credentials are associated with groups, roles, capabilities,
and permissions that determine what parts of the user interface you can access and
how you can interact with content.
If you change the password you use to sign in to Cognos Analytics, be sure to
renew your credentials. Your saved credentials are used to run scheduled requests
when you're not signed in, for example, overnight. Credentials are automatically
renewed once a day, but a schedule run can fail, if it runs after you change your
password, but before your credentials are automatically renewed.
If you are prompted for credentials when you connect to a data server, you can
save your credentials so you aren't prompted for them every time that you use the
same data server. Your saved data server credentials are listed in your advanced,
personal preferences. You can view and delete listed entries.
To see what groups and roles and what capabilities are available with your sign-in
credentials, see “Viewing your permissions for functions and features” on page 25.
Renewing your credentials

Your credentials are renewed automatically once a day or at an interval that is
determined by your administrator, but if you change your sign-in password,
update your credentials manually.
About this task
It is important to manually renew your credentials when you change your sign-in
password, if your credentials are used to run schedules.
Procedure
1. Tap your Personal menu, then tap My preferences > Personal > Advanced.
2. For Credentials, tap Renew.
Managing your credentials

If you own an entry, you can authorize trusted users to use your credentials when
those users lack sufficient access permissions to perform specific tasks. In your
personal, advanced preferences, you can view, add to, or delete from the list of
groups, users, and roles that are authorized to use your credentials.
About this task
If you want to add groups, users, or roles from multiple namespaces, you can use
the type in method described as a choice in step 3.
Procedure
2. For My credentials, tap Manage.

3. To add a group, user or role, tap , then do one of the following actions:
v Select a Namespace from the Name list. You can then search by keyword or
filter by type to find what you want faster.
v To type the names of entries you want to add, tap and select Type in.
Type the names of groups, roles, or users by using the following format,
where a semicolon (;) separates each entry:
namespace/group_name;namespace/role_name;namespace/user_name;
Here is an example:
Cognos/Authors;LDAP/scarter;
4. Select the names that you want and tap Add. Your selections are now listed in
the My credentials slide-out panel.
Managing your data server credentials

You can view and delete your saved data server credentials in your personal,
advanced preferences.
Procedure
2. For Data server credentials, tap Manage.

Chapter 5. Access permissions
Access permissions are used to secure the organization's data.
Your administrator adds you to the groups and roles that have the capabilities and
permissions you need to work with secured functions, features, and your
organization's content. For example, report authors typically have access to the
reporting, but not the managing part of the user interface. Members of the report
author role have Write permission on a report, but members of a sales group
might have only Run permission for the same report.
If you want to see what you are permitted to do with a specific report or other
entry, see “Viewing your permissions for content” on page 25.
If you lack sufficient access permissions for an item, item owners or users with
more extensive access permissions can authorize you to use their credentials. For
more information, see “Managing your credentials” on page 21.
For information on administering user access to groups, roles, and capabilities, see
the IBM Cognos Analytics Managing Guide.
Simple and granular access permissions

Access permissions determine a user's ability to perform a specific action, or access
a feature or object.
Permissions for a specific user are a combination of permissions for that user and
permissions for the groups and roles where the user is a member. When a user is a
member of more than one group or role, deny permissions for one group or role
take precedence over grant permissions for a different group or role.
Users have Read, Run, Write, and Full permissions for items. These simple
permissions represent combinations of more granular permissions that
administrators use to control access.
Simple permissions mapped to granular permissions
The following simple permissions include combinations of granular permissions:

Read
Includes the read and traverse granular permissions.
Run
Includes the read, execute, and traverse granular permissions.
Write
Includes the read, write, execute, and traverse granular permissions.
Full
Includes the read, write, execute, traverse, and set policy granular
permissions.

Granular permissions and permitted actions
The underlying, granular permissions are described in the following list:

Read
View all the properties of an entry, including the report specification and
report output.
Create a shortcut to an entry.
Write
Modify properties of an entry.
Delete an entry.
Create entries in a container, such as a package or a folder.
Modify the report specification for reports created in Reporting and Query
Studio.
Create new outputs for a report.
Execute
Process an entry.
For entries such as reports, agents, and metrics, the user can run the entry.
For data sources, connections, and signons, the entries can be used to
retrieve data from a data provider. The user cannot read the database
information directly. The report server can access the database information
on behalf of the user to process a request. IBM Cognos software verifies
whether users have execute permissions for an entry before they can use
the entry.
For credentials, users can permit someone else to use their credentials. To
use the run as the owner report option, a user must have execute
permissions for the account.
Set policy
Read and modify the security settings for an entry.
Traverse
View the contents of a container entry, such as a package or a folder, and
view general properties of the container itself without full access to the
content.
Setting permissions for content

Set access permissions to specify which users, groups, or roles can access your
content.
About this task
You can set permissions for content that you own, such as reports, dashboards,
stories, packages, and so on. Permissions can be granted, denied, or inherited from
a parent entry. For information about the types of permissions that you can specify
for entries, see “Simple and granular access permissions” on page 23.
When you set access permissions, you can reference both authentication provider
users, groups, and roles, and Cognos groups and roles. However, if you plan to

deploy your application in the future, we recommend that you use only the
Cognos groups and roles to simplify the process.
Procedure
1. In Team content or My content, find your entry, and from its context menu
, tap Properties.
2. On the Permissions tab, select the check box Override parent permissions, and
tap the add icon.

3. Open the namespace that contains the users, groups, or roles for which you
want to specify permissions for the entry. To quickly find the entries, click the
search icon, or click the filter icon to narrow the view of entries within
the namespace.
4. Select the users, groups, or roles that you need. You can control-select multiple
entries. Tap Add. The selected users, groups, or roles are added to the security
policy of your entry with the basic permission Read.
5. To change the permission to Run, Write, or Full, tap the set access icon,
and change the permission.
6. Tap on the permission name to view the granular permissions that this
permission is comprised of. To change the granular permissions, tap the set
access icon for a permission, and change the access type to grant, deny, or
inherit.
7. If you want the children entries inherit the same permissions, select the Apply
to all children check box.
8. Tap Apply.
Viewing your permissions for content

To secure IBM Cognos Analytics content, administrators assign permissions. You
can check your permissions for a report or another entry in the properties for the
entry.
About this task
The Read, Run, Write, and Full permissions represent groupings of more granular
permissions that administrators assign. For more information, see “Simple and
granular access permissions” on page 23.
Procedure
1. For an entry in a list, tap the context menu , and then tap Properties.
2. On the General tab, tap Advanced. You see the Permission property and your
permission value for the entry.
Viewing your permissions for functions and features

As a user or member of a group or role, you are assigned the capabilities that you
need to work with different IBM Cognos Analytics functions and features.
Chapter 5. Access permissions 25

About this task
If you are missing a capability that you require, contact your administrator. To see
what groups and roles and what capabilities are available with your sign-in
credentials, follow these steps:
Procedure
1. Tap your personal menu, then tap My preferences > Personal > Advanced.
2. Tap View details for either Groups and roles or My capabilities.

Chapter 6. Sources of data
To create and run reports, dashboards, and stories, you need data. This data might
be made available to you by an administrator who creates packages or data
modules, or you could upload your own data.
You can use packages, data modules, uploaded files, and data sets as sources of
data for your IBM Cognos applications.
Packages
A package is a subset of a model, which can be the whole model, that is made
available to the IBM Cognos Analytics application.
Relational packages are created in IBM Cognos Framework Manager, and OLAP
packages in IBM Cognos Cube Designer and in IBM Cognos Administration. For
more information, see the chapter on publishing packages in the IBM Cognos
Framework Manager User Guide.
Not all types of packages can be used in all Cognos Analytics components. Only
Reporting can use all types of packages traditionally supported in earlier versions
of Cognos Analytics.
For dashboards and stories, the following packages are supported:

v Relational, dynamic query mode packages.
v Relational, compatible query mode packages if there is a JDBC connection
defined for each data source in the package.
v Dimensional OLAP packages that are based on PowerCubes, dynamic cubes,
TM1 data sources, dimensionally modeled relational (DMR) data sources, and
other data sources.
The modeling component supports only relational, dynamic query mode packages
as sources for data modules.
Data modules
Data modules contain data from data servers, uploaded files, data sets, other data
modules, and from relational, dynamic query mode packages. Data modules are
created in the modeling component in IBM Cognos Analytics, and saved in My
content or Team content. You can use multiple input sources for a single data
module.
For more information, see the IBM Cognos Analytics Data Modeling Guide.
Uploaded files
Uploaded files contain data that are stored on the IBM Cognos Analytics server in
a columnar format.
Only certain types of files can be uploaded. Supported file formats include
Microsoft Excel (.xlsx and .xls) spreadsheets, and text files with comma-separated,
tab-separated, semi colon-separated, or pipe-separated values.

By default, you can upload data files of up to 100 MB from your local drive. If you
want to upload a workbook, remember that only the first sheet in a Microsoft
Excel workbook is uploaded. If you want to upload the data from multiple sheets
in a workbook, you must save the sheets as separate workbooks. After you upload
files, they can be used as a source to create a data module.
The uploaded files are automatically saved in My content. Later, you can copy or
move them to a folder or package in Team content.
For more information, see “Uploading data.”
Data sets
Data sets are customized collections of items that you use frequently. As you make
updates to your data set, the dashboards and stories that use the data set are also
kept up-to-date the next time you run them.
Data sets can be created from packages or data modules. You can use data sets to
create dashboards or stories.
It is also possible to use a data set to create a data module. You can start with a
data set and extend it by creating a data module from it. For example, you can add
calculations and multiple additional data sources. For more information, see the
IBM Cognos Analytics Data Modeling Guide.
For more information, see “Creating data sets” on page 29.
Uploading data
If you want to do some quick analysis and visualizations with data files, you can
upload them to IBM Cognos Analytics yourself and use them in dashboards and
stories. Uploaded files are also used as sources for data modules.
You can upload simple data files of up to 100 MB from your local drive.
Administrators can increase the file size limit, but must be aware of file upload
size limits for browsers. The data must be in columnar form - no pivot tables or
crosstabs.
Uploading files
Use the Upload files facility to upload the files. To upload a file, tap Upload files
, tap the file, and then tap Open. After the file is loaded, you can select the
columns that appear. You can also designate which columns are measures. You do
this by tapping or the column label. Measures contain numerical data, such as
sales figures or the number of items in inventory.
Updating uploaded files
Find the file in My content or Team content, tap file context menu , and then
tap Update file.

Using data from uploaded files in Reporting
You can use files that you upload in dashboards, stories, and data modules, but
not in Reporting. To use the data in Reporting, the file that contains the data can
be uploaded and incorporated into a data module. For more information, see the
IBM Cognos Analytics Data Modeling Guide
Creating data sets

Create a data set to group a customized collection of items that you use frequently.
Data sets can be created from packages or data modules.
Procedure
1. Navigate to a package or data module in Team content or My content.
2. From the package or data module context menu , tap Create data set.
3. Drag the data items from the source pane to the data set editor pane. The items
appear as columnar data in a similar fashion to a list report.
4. For relational data or data modules, select the Summarize detailed values,
suppressing duplicates check box.
If you are not sure if this check box should be selected, clear the check box to
see how the data is aggregated in the edit window. Condensed data that is set
into fewer rows usually leads to better performing reports and dashboards. A
reason for not aggregating the data in your data set is that you lose some
details in the process, and the data from one system might not match the data
from another system. This is especially true for calculations, such as an average.
5. To add filters to the columns or individual items of the data set, tap the item
and then tap . You can add a customized filter or use one of the preset
options.
6. For data with prompts, tap Reprompt to choose values or enter different
values.
7. After you are done adding columns, tap the save icon .
v To save the data set for the first time or to save changes to the data set, from
the drop-down list tap Save. This option saves the metadata, but does not
load the data. Depending on the data set, loading data may take some time.
v To save an updated data set to a new data set, from the drop-down list tap
Save as. This option saves the metadata, but does not load the data.
Depending on the data set, loading data may take some time.
v To save the data set and load the data, from the drop-down list tap Save and
load data. In addition to saving new or changed metadata, this option loads
data. This data is immediately available when you use it in the creation of a
dashboard or story.
8. In the Save as window, choose where to save the data set. In the Save as box,
type a name, and then tap Save.
9. Optional: To create a data set while building a dashboard, perform the
following steps:
a. Create a new dashboard, choose a template, and tap OK.
b. Tap to add some data.

c. Navigate to a package by tapping Team content, and then tap Open.
Chapter 6. Sources of data 29

d. The Create data set window appears. You can create a new data set and
after you save it, you can continue to build your dashboard.
If you need to modify the data set, you can also do that from within the
dashboard by expanding the data sources.

Chapter 7. Sharing and embedding Cognos Analytics content
You can share IBM Cognos Analytics content objects with other users. You can
share content objects, such as reports and dashboards, with a URL that opens the
content object directly, instead of having to browse to the content object from the
Cognos Analytics welcome screen. You can also embed Cognos Analytics content
objects (except for data modules) in customized web pages. An embedded content
object does not display the application or navigation bars.
Authentication issues with sharing and embedding content
If your Cognos Analytics server requires user authentication, the Cognos Analytics
sign-in screen is shown when a Share or Embed link is displayed. After you sign
in, the Cognos Analytics content is displayed. If multiple content objects are
embedded in a web page, each embedded object displays the sign-in screen.
If you are embedding Cognos Analytics content objects in a web page, you can use
the Cognos Analytics REST API to sign in, instead of using the Cognos Analytics
sign-in screen. The embedded content sample included with Cognos Analytics
illustrates the use of the REST API to sign in a user, and then displays embedded
content. For more information, see “Authentication sample with embedded
content” on page 32.
Share or embed a content object
Procedure
You can share and embed content objects in two different ways.
v In Team Content or My Content, browse to the object, click More ( ), and

then click Share or Embed.
v . You can share or embed a report, dashboard, or story that is open. To do
this, click More ( ) on the application bar, and then click Share or Embed.
Embed is not available for data modules.
A dialog box opens that displays a URL (for Share) or an HTML iFrame element
(for Embed).
Results
You can now provide a Share URL to other users that allow them to open the
content object directly. You can add the Embed element to a web page to display
the content object.
If you use the URL in an HTML item in a report, replace instances of & with &.
You can also modify the URL to perform other actions, such as opening a report
for editing instead or running the report, or changing the output format of the

report. For more information, see Chapter 8, “Creating custom URLs to display and
run Cognos Analytics content,” on page 33.
Authentication sample with embedded content
The embedded content sample shows how to use the IBM Cognos Analytics REST
API to sign in a user and then display embedded content.
Procedure
1. Copy the embedded_content folder from the <installation_location>\samples
folder to the <installation_location>\webcontent folder.
2. Edit embedded_content\preLoginSample.html and change the namespace
identifiers in the select object to your namespace identifiers.
3. Edit embedded_content\iFrameSample.html and replace the iFrame objects with
Embed iFrame objects from your Cognos Analytics installation.
4. In a web browser, type http://<server_name>:<port>/embedded_content/
preLoginSample.html
Results
A sign-in web page is displayed. After you sign in, the embedded content objects
are shown.

Chapter 8. Creating custom URLs to display and run Cognos
Analytics content
You can create URLs that open or run IBM Cognos Analytics content objects, such
as reports, dashboards, stories, and data modules.. This feature extends the Share
command that creates a URL to display Cognos Analytics content objects to
provide more control over the actions that are taken when the content object is
displayed or run.
The Share command that is described in Chapter 7, “Sharing and embedding

Cognos Analytics content,” on page 31 provides a simple way to create a URL that
opens and runs Cognos Analytics content objects. You can create these URLs if you
require more control over the actions invoked by them.
The following report types are supported in custom URLs: standard

reports, report views, active reports, data sets, Query Studio reports, Analysis
Studio reports, and their saved outputs.
If the content object is a report that has saved output, the saved output is
displayed if it exists. Otherwise, the report is run. If the content object is saved
output, it is displayed. An error message is displayed if the saved output has been
deleted.
Syntax
The syntax of the custom URLs takes one of the following two forms.
v http://<servername>:<port>/bi/?pathRef=<path>&<option1>=<value1>
&<option2>=<value2>...
v http://<servername>:<port>/bi/?objRef=<id>&<option1>=<value1>
pathRef or objRef identify the content object to use.

pathRef
Specifies the location of the object. This value does not change if the
version of Cognos Analytics is changed or if the object is exported or
imported in a deployment.
The easiest way to determine the value of pathRef is to create a URL by
using the Share command. This URL contains the value of pathRef.
objRef Specifies the id of the object. This value does not change if the content
object is moved to a different location in My content or Team content.
The value of objRef is the ID value in the properties pane of the object.
A number of optional options can be appended to the URL. The following two
options can be used in any perspective.
ui_appbar
Specifies whether to display the Application bar (true) or not (false). The
default value is true.

ui_navbar
Specifies whether to display the Navigation bar (true) or not (false). The
default value is true.
The following options can be used if the content object is a report..

action Specifies run to run a report or edit to author a report. edit can only be
used in the authoring perspective. The default value is run.
format When running a report, specifies the output format. The possible values
are HTML and PDF. In the classicviewer perspective, the following values
are also supported: xlsxData, CSV, spreadsheetML, layoutDataXML, XLWA,
rawXML, XHTML, singleXLS, and HTMLFragment. The default value is HTML.
To use the classicviewer perspective, the option
perspective=classicviewer must be included in the URL. For example,
http://<servername>:<port>/bi/?perspective=classicviewer
&pathRef=<path>&<option1>=<value1>&<option2>=<value2>...
a11y When running a report, specifies whether to include accessibility features
(true) or not (false). The default value is false.
bidi When running a report, specifies whether to enable bidirectional support
(true) or not (false). The default value is false.
prompt When running a report, specifies whether to show the prompt page (true)
or not (false). The default value is false.
p_<prompt_name>
When running a report, specifies the value to use for the prompt named
.<prompt_name>.
promptParameters
When running a report, specifies prompt parameters as a JavaScript Object
Notation (JSON) object. You to pass more complex prompts to use when
you run a report. For more information, see “promptParameters option
syntax” on page 35.
v The easiest way to create a custom URL is to use the Share command for the
content object that you want to create a custom URL for, and then to modify the
options in this URL.
v Custom URLs can be long and your Cognos Analytics server environment might
impose a length limit on the query portion of the URL You can work around this
limitation by using the URL fragment identifier (#) in the URL. Here are some
examples.
– http://<servername>:<port>/bi/#pathRef=<path>&<option1>=<value1>
– http://<servername>:<port>/bi/?pathRef=<path>
&<option1>=<value1>#<option2>=<value2>...
You can also use the HTTP POST method to send the options to the Cognos
Analytics server.
v If your Cognos Analytics server requires user authentication, a sign-in view is
displayed when you run a custom URL in a web browser. For information on
some ways to handle the authentication issue, see Chapter 7, “Sharing and
embedding Cognos Analytics content,” on page 31.
v If you use a custom URL in an HTML item in a report, replace instances of &
with &.

promptParameters option syntax
You can use the promptParameters option to pass complex prompt values for use
when you run a report. The prompt values are contained in a JavaScript Object
Notation (JSON) object.
Syntax
The syntax of the promptParameters option is
promptParameters=[{<prompt_1>},{<prompt_2>,...]. The syntax of each prompt
value depends on the type of prompt value and are described as follows.
Specific values
{
"name":"<prompt_name>",
"value":[
{"use":"<use_value1>","display":"<display_value_1>"},
{"use":"<use_value2>"},
...
]
}
<prompt_name> is the name of the prompt, <use_value1> is the use value,

and <display_value_1> is the display value. The display value is optional.
Bounded range
{
"value":[
{
"boundRange":{
"start": {"use":"<use_start_value>", "display":"<display_start_value>"},
"end": {"use":"<use_end_value>"}
}}
]
}
<prompt_name> is the name of the prompt, <use_start_value> is the lower

use value, <display_start_value> is the lower display value, and
<use_end_value> is the upper use value. The display value is optional.
Unbounded start range
{
"value":[
{
"unboundedStartRange": {
"end": {"use":"<use_end_value>", "display":"<display_end_value>}
}
}
<prompt_name> is the name of the prompt, <use_end_value> is the upper

use value, <display_end_value> is the upper display value. The display
value is optional.
Unbounded end range
{
"value":[
{
Chapter 8. Creating custom URLs to display and run Cognos Analytics content 35
"unboundedEndRange": {
"start": {"use":"<use_start_value>", "display":"<display_start_value>}
}
}
<prompt_name> is the name of the prompt, <use_start_value> is the lower

use value, <display_start_value> is the lower display value. The display
value is optional.

Chapter 9. Integrating with other Cognos products
IBM Cognos Analytics integrates with supported versions of other IBM Cognos
products so your analytics capabilities can grow with your needs.
To access the following applications, they must be installed, and IBM Cognos
Analytics must be installed with the custom option which enables other
applications. For information on opening companion applications, see “Opening
companion apps” on page 40.
Cognos Planning - Analyst
For supported versions, you can access published plan data in IBM Cognos
Analytics by using the Generate Framework Manager Model wizard. For
more information, see the IBM Cognos Analyst User Guide.
Cognos Planning - Contributor
For supported versions, you can access unpublished (real-time) Contributor
cubes in IBM Cognos Analytics by custom installing the IBM Cognos
Analytics - Contributor Data Server component that is included with IBM
Cognos Planning - Contributor.
For supported versions, you can access published plan data in IBM Cognos
Analytics by using the Generate Framework Manager Model
administration extension in Contributor. For more information, see the IBM
Cognos Contributor Administration Guide.
Cognos Finance
You can access IBM Cognos Finance cubes that are secured against a
Series 7 namespace by using the IBM Cognos Finance Network API
Service. You can also export data and metadata from IBM Cognos Finance
for use in Framework Manager.
Cognos Controller
You can access IBM Cognos Analytics to create IBM Cognos Controller
Standard Reports by using a predefined Framework Manager model that is
created when IBM Cognos Controller is installed. You can also access
published Controller data and structures in Framework Manager for
custom reporting and analysis.
Cognos Transformer
You can use IBM Cognos PowerCubes and Transformer models, that were
generated by supported Transformer versions, directly in IBM Cognos
Analytics. The cubes and models are upwards compatible and require no
migration or upgrade tools. You can run reports and analyses in IBM
Cognos Analytics against the IBM Cognos PowerCubes.
Cognos TM1®
IBM Cognos TM1 integrates business planning, performance measurement
and operational data to enable companies to optimize business
effectiveness and customer interaction regardless of geography or structure.
Cognos TM1 provides immediate visibility into data, accountability within
a collaborative process, and a consistent view of information, allowing
managers to quickly stabilize operational fluctuations and take advantage
of new opportunities. For more information, see the IBM Cognos TM1 User
Guide.

Cognos PowerPlay
You use IBM® Cognos® PowerPlay® Studio to create and view reports that
are based on PowerCube data sources. For more information, see the IBM
Cognos PowerPlay Studio User Guide.
Cognos Metrics Studio
Create and deliver a customized scorecarding environment for monitoring
and analyzing metrics throughout your organization. Users can monitor,
analyze, and report on time-critical information by using scorecards based
on cross-functional metrics. For more information, see the IBM Cognos
Metric Studio User Guide.
The IBM Cognos Software Development Kit

The IBM Cognos Software Development Kit provides a platform-independent
automation interface for working with IBM Cognos Analytics services and
components.
Developers in your organization can use the IBM Cognos Software Development
Kit to create custom reports, manage deployment, and integrate security and portal
functionality to suit your needs, locale, and existing software infrastructure. The
Software Development Kit uses a collection of cross-platform Web services,
libraries, and programming interfaces.
You can choose to automate only a specific task, or you can program the entire
process from modeling through to reporting, scheduling, and distribution.
The Software Development Kit is available as a separate package.
For more information, see the IBM Cognos Software Development Kit Developer Guide.
Functionality mapping from Cognos BI to Cognos Analytics

IBM Cognos Analytics is the next version of IBM Cognos Business Intelligence.
The following table describes where you can find BI functionality in IBM Cognos
Analytics. The companion applications are only available in the user interface if
they are installed and if legacy applications are enabled in a custom installation of
Cognos Analytics. Some, but not all of the companion applications, are installed
separately.
Table 1. BI to Cognos Analytics functionality mapping
IBM Cognos Business Intelligence IBM Cognos Analytics
Cognos Connection Welcome portal
Cognos Viewer The viewer is not named. Depending on the
item you view, there is different
functionality in the viewer.
Report Studio Reporting: to create a new report, in the
Welcome portal, tap , then tap Report.
For a report entry in a content list, if you tap
, then tap Edit, the report opens in

Reporting.

Table 1. BI to Cognos Analytics functionality mapping (continued)
IBM Cognos Business Intelligence IBM Cognos Analytics
No equivalent, new in Cognos Analytics. Data modeling: to create a new data module,
in the Welcome portal, tap the New
icon, and then tap Data module.
Cognos Administration Managing: incorporates part of the
administration functionality. Access from the
Welcome portal. Link to the full
Administration console from the Manage
panel.
Workspace Advanced Reporting: incorporates Workspace
Advanced functionality. Page preview in
Reporting is similar to Page preview in
Workspace Advanced.
Drill-through definitions Companion application: to access
Drill-through, in the Welcome portal
navigation bar, tap New , then Other
. Drill-through definitions support

Framework Manager packages, but not data
modules.
Event Studio Companion application: to access Event
Studio, in the Welcome portal navigation
bar, tap New , then Other .

My Inbox Notifications: if you select Save to the
system for subscriptions and report output
versions, you go to Notifications in the
Welcome portal, open the notice and tap a
link to the report version.
Also, My Inbox is a companion application:

to access, tap your user name.
Analysis Studio Companion application: to access, in the
Welcome portal, tap New , then Other
.
Query Studio Companion application: to access, in the
Welcome portal, tap New , then Other
.
Workspace Dashboarding: incorporates Workspace
functionality. However, for some additional
functionality, you can access the Workspace
companion application if it was installed. In
the Welcome portal navigation bar, tap New
, then Other .
Framework Manager Framework Manager
Move from quirks to standards mode HTML

Because of the move from quirks to standards mode HTML in much of the user
interface, you might need to make minor changes to existing reports. You might
also need to update your web browser settings.
Chapter 9. Integrating with other Cognos products 39
Many IBM Cognos Analytics user interfaces now use standards mode HTML,
including the Cognos Analytics portal, Cognos Analytics – Reporting, and HTML
viewers and reports. Because reports have moved from quirks to standard HTML,
there might be small differences in the look of your reports. These differences do
not have an impact on the majority of reports that were created in previous
Cognos versions. However, minor changes might be required in a small number of
existing reports.
If you use the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser after you upgrade to
Cognos Analytics 11.0, you might need to change your browser settings.
Previously, when Cognos 10.2.x was used with the Internet Explorer browser, you
either had to enable the Automatically recover from page layout errors with
Compatibility Mode option or add websites to the Compatibility View Settings.
Because Cognos Analytics 11.0 uses standards mode HTML, you must change
settings that enabled compatibility mode to avoid problems with caching. To ease
your transition to standards mode HTML, legacy components, such as IBM Cognos
Query Studio and IBM Cognos Analysis Studio that still require it now use meta
tags to automatically switch into compatibility mode.
For more information, see Cognos Analytics conversion to Standards Mode.
Opening companion apps

Companion applications might be accessible in the IBM Cognos Analytics user
interface.
About this task
You can access the following applications if you have the required capabilities and
if the applications are enabled during installation:
v Cognos Analysis Studio
v Cognos Query Studio
v Cognos Event Studio
v Cognos Workspace
v Drill-through definitions
v My Inbox
v My Watch Items
v Create new jobs
The following applications are separately installed. To see them, the custom
installation option must be selected when IBM Cognos Analytics is installed, and
you must have the appropriate capabilities:
v Cognos Metrics Studio
v Cognos PowerPlay
v Cognos Planning
Procedure
1. To see My Inbox and My Watch Items, in the Welcome portal, tap your user
name.
2. To see Create new job, in the Welcome portal navigation bar, tap Manage.
3. To see all other companion applications, in the Welcome portal navigation bar,
tap , then .

4. Tap the companion application that you want.
Chapter 9. Integrating with other Cognos products 41

Appendix. About this guide
This document is intended for use with IBM Cognos Analytics. Cognos Analytics
integrates reporting, modeling, analysis, dashboards, stories, metrics, and event
management so you can understand your organization's data, and make effective
business decisions.
To find product documentation on the web, including all translated

documentation, access IBM Knowledge Center (http://www.ibm.com/support/
knowledgecenter).
Accessibility features
Accessibility features help users who have a physical disability, such as restricted
mobility or limited vision, to use information technology products successfully. For
information on accessibility features in Cognos Analytics, see the Cognos Analytics
Accessibility Guide.
Forward-looking statements
This documentation describes the current functionality of the product. References

to items that are not currently available may be included. No implication of any
future availability should be inferred. Any such references are not a commitment,
promise, or legal obligation to deliver any material, code, or functionality. The
development, release, and timing of features or functionality remain at the sole
discretion of IBM.
Samples disclaimer
The Sample Outdoors Company, Great Outdoors Company, GO Sales, any

variation of the Sample Outdoors or Great Outdoors names, and Planning Sample
depict fictitious business operations with sample data used to develop sample
applications for IBM and IBM customers. These fictitious records include sample
data for sales transactions, product distribution, finance, and human resources.
Any resemblance to actual names, addresses, contact numbers, or transaction
values is coincidental. Other sample files may contain fictional data manually or
machine generated, factual data compiled from academic or public sources, or data
used with permission of the copyright holder, for use as sample data to develop
sample applications. Product names referenced may be the trademarks of their
respective owners. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.

Notices
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to access it.
IBM may not offer the products, services, or features discussed in this document in
other countries. Consult your local IBM representative for information on the
products and services currently available in your area. Any reference to an IBM
product, program, or service is not intended to state or imply that only that IBM
product, program, or service may be used. Any functionally equivalent product,
program, or service that does not infringe any IBM intellectual property right may
be used instead. However, it is the user's responsibility to evaluate and verify the
operation of any non-IBM product, program, or service. This document may
describe products, services, or features that are not included in the Program or
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IBM may have patents or pending patent applications covering subject matter
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any license to these patents. You can send license inquiries, in writing, to:
IBM Director of Licensing

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Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these changes will be
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Any references in this information to non-IBM Web sites are provided for
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IBM may use or distribute any of the information you supply in any way it
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Licensees of this program who wish to have information about it for the purpose
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Attention: Licensing
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Such information may be available, subject to appropriate terms and conditions,

including in some cases, payment of a fee.
The licensed program described in this document and all licensed material
available for it are provided by IBM under terms of the IBM Customer Agreement,
IBM International Program License Agreement or any equivalent agreement
between us.
Any performance data contained herein was determined in a controlled

environment. Therefore, the results obtained in other operating environments may
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v user name
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These cookies cannot be disabled.
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Notices 47
Index
A L
add folders 3 learn the product 9
agent views 6 links and copy or move operations 7
Analysis Studio 40
automating
IBM Cognos Analytics 38 M
Manage data server credentials 22
managing
C reports 3
capabilities My content 3
viewing permissions 26 My subscriptions 5
copy or move
effect on links 7
Credentials
renewing 21
N
navigation tips 3
Credentialsauthorize trusted users
notifications 5
managing 21
D O
organizing
data
entries in the portal 3
sources 27
data modules 27
Data server credentialsmanage
view saved credentials 22 P
data sets 27, 29 packages 27
permissions
execute 23
E read 23
set 24
entries
set policy 23
hiding 17
traverse 23
setting permissions 24
types 24
showing hidden 17
viewing 25
execute permissions 23
write 23
preferences 17
viewing my capabilities 26
F product description 1
files
uploading 28
Q
Query Studio 40
G
get started overview 1
R
read permissions 23
H report versions
hiding entries 17 delete saved output 6
save versions 6
saved outputs 6
I view archives 6
view versions 6
IBM Cognos Software Development Kit 38
report views 6
integrating
reports 11
other IBM Cognos products IBM Cognos Analytics 37
managing 3
interactive viewer 3
personalize 6

S T
samples 9 Team content 3
scheduling 8 traverse
security permissions 23
groups and roles 26 Tutorial
permissions 23 create a report - part one 9
select entries 3 Tutorials
set default report format 17 First active report 12
set policy permissions 23
set preferences 17
showing hidden entries 17
sources
U
uploaded files 27, 28
data 27
data modules 27
data sets 27
packages 27 W
uploaded files 27 Workspace 40
subscribe to reports 5 write permissions 23
subscriptions 5

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IBM Cognos Analytics

Getting Started User Guide

Chapter 2. Get started video tutorials and samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Chapter 3. Setting your preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Chapter 5. Access permissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Chapter 6. Sources of data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Chapter 7. Sharing and embedding Cognos Analytics content . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Chapter 9. Integrating with other Cognos products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2005, 2015 iii

iv IBM Cognos Analytics Version 11.0: Getting Started User Guide

Whether you're an analyst, report author, data modeler, or an administrator, you

Tap to create new reports, data modules, dashboards, or stories.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2005, 2015 1

Search and find content

Figure 1. Find your content

2 IBM Cognos Analytics Version 11.0: Getting Started User Guide

Your organization's content is in the Team content folder. This is

View and interact with content

v Subscribe. Delivers reports with your prompt values and options.

Chapter 1. Get started 3

v In lists, group data .

v In crosstabs and charts, suppress columns or rows or swap columns and

v Add calculated members .

v View lineage information for a data item .

v Create, edit or remove filters .

4 IBM Cognos Analytics Version 11.0: Getting Started User Guide

About this task

Managing your subscriptions

For more information, see “Subscribing to reports.”

Chapter 1. Get started 5

Agents can also be saved as views.

In the application bar, when you view a report, tap either , or .

6 IBM Cognos Analytics Version 11.0: Getting Started User Guide

Link behavior when you copy, move, or rename

Set properties for entries

Chapter 1. Get started 7

About this task

For information on scheduling, including using jobs to schedule multiple entries,

8 IBM Cognos Analytics Version 11.0: Getting Started User Guide

Creating my first report

About this task

, then click Report.

10 IBM Cognos Analytics Version 11.0: Getting Started User Guide

Creating my first report - part two

About this task

Chapter 2. Get started video tutorials and samples 11

Summarize icon and from the drop-down select Total.

Creating my first active report

About this task

12 IBM Cognos Analytics Version 11.0: Getting Started User Guide

Figure 3. Data drop-down list added to header

Figure 4. Data items added to drop-down list

Chapter 2. Get started video tutorials and samples 13

Figure 5. Add information to create a new connection

14 IBM Cognos Analytics Version 11.0: Getting Started User Guide

Chapter 2. Get started video tutorials and samples 15

Setting the default format for report runs

Hiding and showing hidden entries

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2005, 2015 17

The following rules apply to hidden entries: