Connecting to Data

In this section:

Configuring Adapters
Creating Synonyms

You can configure adapters and connect to data sources that you can use to build reports, charts, and visualizations using WebFOCUS. You can also create a synonym for one or more data objects, or create cluster synonyms for select objects assigned as facts or dimensions.

You can connect to data in the following ways:

From the WebFOCUS Home Page, click the Data tab on the Action Bar, and then click the Connect button .
From the WebFOCUS Home Page, click the Designer tab on the Action Bar, then click the Workbook or Chart button, and then click Connect in the Open dialog box.
From the WebFOCUS Home Page, click the InfoAssist tab on the Action Bar, then click the Chart, Visualization, Report, or Document button, and then click Connect to Data in the Open dialog box.
From the Legacy home page, in the Resources tree, right-click a domain or folder, point to Metadata, and then click Connect to Data.

Note: The Report button appears in the Designer category if you have enabled the Technical Preview feature.

Configuring Adapters

How to:

Configure a New Adapter/Connection
Add a Connection
Change a Connection

Connect to Data creates a connection to your data, which will allow you to modify your data for use in WebFOCUS. You can configure a new adapter or connection, add a connection to an existing adapter, or change adapter connections.

The initial Connect to Data screen displays a panel for selecting or configuring adapters, and also for uploading data, as shown in the following image.

Desktop files. You can upload, append, or merge delimited, Excel, JSON, or XML files to a target environment from this area of the Connect to Data workflow.
New Datasource. Displays all available adapters. If a connection has already been configured for an adapter, a check mark is displayed next to the adapter name. If the adapter has multiple versions, you can select which version to configure when you right-click the adapter name or click its drop-down arrow. You can select a category of adapter to display from a categorical drop-down list. A search option is also available.
Server Datasources. Displays all adapters and connections that have been configured. You can create synonyms and cluster business views from this panel, add new or duplicate connections, remove connections, and view and edit properties.

Procedure: How to Configure a New Adapter/Connection

In the Connect to Data panel, click New Datasource.

The Available adapter dialog box opens, as shown in the following image.
Right-click an adapter name and click Configure.

Note: If the adapter has multiple versions, right-click the adapter name and select which version to configure.

The Configuration dialog box opens, as shown in the following image.
Enter the parameters for the specific adapter in the dialog box.
Click Test, if available, to test your configuration.
Click Configure.

Note: Once configured, the adapter appears beneath Server Datasources in the Connect to Data panel.

Procedure: How to Add a Connection

In the Connect to Data panel, under Server Datasources, right-click a configured adapter.

A shortcut menu opens, as shown in the following image.

Note: These menu options are for a SQL adapter. Options may differ for different categories of adapters.
Click Add Connection.
Enter the parameters for the specific adapter in the dialog box.
Click Test, if available, to test your configuration.
Click Configure.

Procedure: How to Change a Connection

In the Connect to Data panel, under Server Datasources, right-click a configured adapter.
Click Properties.
Change the parameters for the specific connection in the dialog box and click Configure.

Creating Synonyms

How to:

Create a Synonym
Create a Cluster Synonym
Create a Base Synonym

You can create Base or Cluster Synonyms. A Cluster Synonym is made up of multiple Base Synonyms connected by Joins.

Procedure: How to Create a Synonym

In the Connect to Data panel, under Server Datasources, right-click a configured adapter.

A shortcut menu opens, as shown in the following image.

Note: These menu options are for a SQL adapter. Options may differ for different categories of adapters.
Click Show DBMS objects from the shortcut menu.

The Available Objects panel opens, as shown in the following image.
Select from the available object Filter options.

Procedure: How to Create a Cluster Synonym

Select the Cluster Synonym radio button. This is the default setting.

Available Cluster Synonym candidates display.
Select the Fact or Dimension of the object for which you want to create a Cluster Synonym, as shown in the following image.
You can change the name of any selected Base synonym in the Default Synonym Name field.
To display related Dimensions, right-click a selected object name, and select Show Related Dimensions.
To add related Dimensions, select Add Related Dimensions.

Note: Show and Add Related Dimensions options are only available for Relational data sources if Foreign Key to Primary key information is available in the RDBMS.

The related dimensions are automatically selected, as shown in the following image.
Click the arrow icon from the ribbon to proceed.

Your Cluster Synonym selection displays, as shown in the following image.
Enhance your Cluster Synonym from the panels or ribbon, as needed.
Click the arrow icon from the ribbon to proceed.

The Save As dialog box opens, as shown in the following image.
You can change the name of your Cluster Synonym in the Selection field.
Click OK.

You are returned to the Home Page. A message displays indicating your new data is available. A shortcut to your new data is added to the repository folder from where you connected to data, as shown in the following image.

From the shortcut menu options, you can edit your data by selecting Edit, or create new content by selecting New, as shown in the following image.

Procedure: How to Create a Base Synonym

Select the Base Synonym radio button.

Available Base Synonym candidates display.
Select the object for which you want to create a Base Synonym, as shown in the following image.
Click the arrow icon from the ribbon to proceed.

Your Base Synonym selection displays, as shown in the following image.
Enhance your Base Synonym from the panels or ribbon, as needed.
Click the arrow icon from the ribbon to proceed.

The Save As dialog box opens, as shown in the following image.
You can change the name of your Base Synonym in the Selection field.
Click OK.

You are returned to the Home Page. A message displays indicating your new data is available. A shortcut to your new data is added to the repository folder from where you connected to data, as shown in the following image.

From the shortcut menu options, you can edit your data by selecting Edit, or create new content by selecting New, as shown in the following image.