Modifying Values and Performing Write Back

About Modifying Values and Various Types of Users

The ability to modify values affects the following types of users:

• Administrators of the repository configure the columns in the repository to allow for write back.

• Administrators set privileges for write back and prepare a write-back template, and administrators and content designers configure for write back from table views in dashboards and analyses.

• End users modify records in table views.

Process for Write Back

The following list describes the steps in the process of write back:

1. As the content designer, you work with the administrator of the repository to assess the reporting needs in the organization and make a list of write-back columns needed and the analyses in which they should be displayed.

   Hierarchical columns do not support the write-back capability but attribute columns, measure columns, and double columns do support the write-back capability. For double columns, you can write back to the display column. No automatic translation of the code column is provided.

2. The administrator of the repository configures the Oracle BI Server and the columns that should be available for write back, as described in Metadata Repository Builder's Guide for Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition.

3. The administrator performs the following tasks:

   1. Prepares a file of SQL code to use as the "template" for write back.

   2. Grants appropriate privileges for setting up and using write back. For example, the administrator gives you the privileges to set up views in which users can modify values.

   For information on the write-back template and on privileges, see "Configuring for Write Back in Analyses and Dashboards" in System Administrator's Guide for Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition.

4. As the content designer, you enable one or more columns for write back, as described in "Adding the Write-Back Capability to a Column."

5. As the content designer, you enable a table view for write back, as described in "Adding the Write-Back Capability to a Table View."

6. As the content designer, you provide users with information on working with write back, as described in "Modifying Data in a Table View in a Dashboard Page or Analysis."

7. Users modify the values in views as appropriate.

Adding the Write-Back Capability to a Column

To enable the write-back capability for a column, administrators and content designers use the Write Back tab on the Column Properties dialog. Correct privileges must be set, and the attribute, measure, or double column must be set as writeable in the repository. Ensure that the column relates to the write-back template that the administrator prepared. All the table views that include that column can display it as available for write back.

To enable the write-back capability for a column:

1. Open the analysis for editing in the Criteria tab.

2. Click the Options button beside a column on which you want to enable write back and select Column Properties.

   The "Column Properties dialog" is displayed.

3. Click the Write Back tab.

   If the column has been enabled for write-back in the repository, then the Enable Write Back box is available.

4. Click the Enable Write Back box.

   Additional options for write-back are displayed.

5. In Text Field Width box, specify the width of the column.

6. Click OK to close the Column Properties dialog.

Adding the Write-Back Capability to a Table View

To enable the write-back capability for a table view, use the Write Back tab of the Table Properties dialog.

To enable the write-back capability for a table view:

1. In the Analysis editor, open the table view for editing.

2. Click the Table View Properties toolbar button.

   The "Table Properties dialog" is displayed.

3. Click the Write Back tab.

4. Ensure that the Enable Write Back box is selected.

5. Select the Template Name box, then type the name of the template to employ for writing back values.

   Check with the administrator for the appropriate template name.

6. Click OK.

About the Modes for Write Back in Views

If you enable write back in a view and accept the system defaults, then a user has two modes in which to work with values:

• View mode: In this mode, a user simply views values. The user lacks the ability to modify values, before clicking the Update button to enter Edit mode.

• Edit mode: In this mode, a user actually modifies values. To enter Edit mode, the user clicks the Update button on the view, when it is available. When in Edit mode, the user enters data in columns and can click the following buttons:

  • Revert: Changes back to the original values any modifications that the user has made but has not yet written back to the data source. Keeps the user in Edit mode.

  • Apply: Writes back to the data source any changes that the user has made and refreshes the view to display the most current data based on those changes. Keeps the user in Edit mode.

  • Done: Writes back to the data source any changes that the user has made, refreshes the view to display the most current data based on those changes, and returns the user to View mode.

You can modify the labels for these buttons using the options in the Write Back tab of the Properties dialog for the view. You can also use the Toggle Table Mode box to indicate that users do not toggle between View and Edit mode. Instead, they remain always in Edit mode. When toggling is disabled, the Update button is not displayed on the view.