What is BI Publisher?
It is a reporting tool for generating the reports. More than tool it is an engine that can be integrated with systems supporting the business.
Is BI Publisher integrated with Oracle Apps?
Yes, it is tightly integrated with Oracle Apps for reporting needs. In 11.5.10 instances xml publisher was used, in R12 we can it BI Publisher
What is the difference between xml publisher and BI Publisher?
Name is the difference, initially it was released on the name of xml publisher( the initial patchset), later on they have added more features and called it Business Intelligence Publisher. In BI by default we have integration with Datadefinitions in R12 instance. Both these names can be used interchangeably.
What are the various components required for developing a BI publisher report?
Data Template, Layout template and the integration with Concurrent Manager.
How does the concurrent program submitted by the user knows about the datatemplate or layout template it should be using for generating the output?
The concurrent program ‘shortname’ will be mapped to the ‘code’ of the Datatemplate. Layout template is attached to the datatemplate, this forms the mapping between all the three.
What is a datatemplate?
Datatemplate is an xml structure which contains the queries to be run against the database so that desired output in xml format is generated, this generated xml output is then applied on to the layout template for the final output
What is a layout template?
Layout template defines how the user views the output, basically it can be developed using Microsoft word document in rft (rich text format) or Adobe pdf format. The data output in xml format (from Data template) will be loaded in layout template at run time and the required final output file is generated.
What are the output formats supported by layout template?
xls, html, pdf, eText etc are supported based on the business need.
Do you need to write multiple layout templates for each output type like html/pdf?
No, only layout template will be created, BI Publisher generates desired output format when the request is run.
What is the default output format of the report?
The default output format defined during the layout template creation will be used to generate the output, the same can be modified during the request submission and it will overwrite the one defined at layout template
Can you have multiple layout templates for a single data template?
Yes, multiple layouts can be defined, user has a choice here to use one among them at run time during conc request submission
Where do you register data and layout templates?
Layout template will be registered under xml publisher administrator responsibility>Templates tab. Data template will be registered under xml publisher administrator responsibility> Data Definitions
I want to create a report output in 10 languages, do I have to create 10 layout templates?
No, BI Publisher provides the required translation for your templates, based on the number of languages installed in your Oracle apps environment requires outputs are provided
What is the required installation for using BI Pub report?
BI Publisher desktop tool has to be installed. Using this tool you can preview or test the report before deploying the same on to the instance.
How do you move your layout or data template across instances?
xdoloader is the utility that will be used.
What is the tool to map required data output and layout templates so that they can be tested in local machine?
Template viewer will be used for the same.
Which component is responsible for generating the output in xml format before applying it to layout template?
DataEngine will take DataTemplate as the input and the output will be generated in xml format which will then be applied on layout template.
Can BI publisher reports be used in OAF pages?
XDO template utility helper java classes are provided for the same.
Name some business use cases for BI reports?
Bank EFT, customer documents, shipping documents, internal analysis documents or any transactional documents.
How do you pass parameters to your report?
Concurrent program parameters should be passed, ensure that the parameter name/token are same as in the conc prog defn and the data template.
What are the various sections in the data template?
What does lexical section contain?
The required lexical clause of Key Flex field or Descriptive FF are created under this section.
What are triggers, supported in Data template?
Before report and After report are supported
Where is the trigger code written?
The code is written in the plsql package which is given under ‘defaultpackage’ tag of data template.
What is the file supporting the translation for a layout template?
xliff is the file that supports the translation, you can modify the same as required.
How do you display the company logo on the report output?
Copy and paste the logo (.gif. or any format) on the header section of .rtf file. Ensure you resize per the company standards.
How to Upload RTF Template from Backend?
Using XDO Loader, we can upload an RTF from Backend.
How to Map RTF Template via Backend?
Using FND_PROGRAM.ADD_TEMPLATE api we can map.
What are the Executable and Concurrent Program used to develop a report without RDF?
XDODTEXE is used as Executable, Java Concurrent Program is used Concurrent Program for developing a report without RDF.
How to repeat the Header of the template on each and every page of the output?
Use <?@section: ?> in order to repeat that specific section in each page of the output.also to reset the page number.
How many ways we can display images in a BI Publisher Report?
It can be done in 5 ways
How to do conditional formatting in XML Publisher?
Conditional formatting in BI Publisher/XML Publisher can be done in these some of the following ways :
1. if statements:
<?if:condition?>
your data
<?end if?>
2. if then else statements
<?xdofx:if element_condition
then output1
else output2
end if?>
3. choose statements : for multiple conditions
<?choose:?>
<?when:expression?>
<?otherwise?>
There are more ways for conditional formatting in addition to the above like column formatting ,row formatting etc.
What are the XML publisher tables?
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