1

Running the Report in Different Format

And Customize the Report Size




Author: Muhammad Shakir
Cognos Specialist
mshakir@segmentbi.com
www.segmentbi.com




SEG BI Consulting Services, Inc.
Transforming data into information




2

INDEX

Introduction 3
Best Practices-cognos report studio . 3












3
Introduction:
In this paper, we will discuss we will discuss some best practices that you should following while
working in cognos report studio.
Best Practices-cognos report studio:
Following are the points that the developer should use while developing reports in cognos
report studio.
1. Formatting:
Consistency
There should be consistency for the formatting options (Font, Margin,
Border, etc.) throughout the report. This will improve readability.
Report Expressions
Add Report expressions above the crosstab for the selection made in the
prompts. This will help the user know the selections made in the report; It
would also help in the scenario, where there is no data for the selections.
2. Filter and Prompts:
Ensure that there should be filters for every dimension required. Due to this
rows fetched from the database will be less.
Use = instead of in for single value comparison in filters. Due to this query
run time will reduce.
Use CASE statement instead of IFELSE, for implementing conditional
filter. This will improve performance of the filter execution.
Delete filters which are not required instead of disabling them. This is
required as unused Code hampers the performance of the report.
3. Calculation:
Use in-built calculations instead of calculating manually.
Assign proper solve order for the calculated data items.
Use explicit brackets for expression definitions. The calculations may give
wrong answer if the Brackets are not used in the expressions or calculations
of data items.
4. Query Items:
Remove all unnecessary objects from the report. This improves execution
because when the report is executed, the data is fetched for all the data
items in the report.
Use data items instead of Calculated members and Calculated
measures. The calculations of members should be done in data items. It
helps to reduce the run time of calculations.


4
Special Characters should be avoided in the Query names.
For the query items which are not involved in any type of calculations, set
the Aggregate Function and Roll up Aggregate to NONE.
5. Charts:
Show Tool Tip for the report items displayed on the chart.
Define single Palette for all the charts in the report. This helps to maintain
consistency for all the charts used.
6. General:
Use brackets in IFELSE, CASE. and other expression.
Minimum use of Java Script. Usage of Java script might affect the
performance of the report.
Use Render variable instead of Style variable to show or hide any report
items. Style variable executes the item on the report page and then hides it
but the render variable does not execute the item which is not to be
displayed in the report page.
Use Boolean variables instead of String variables unless string variables are
unavoidable. Boolean variables get executed faster as compared to String
variables.