Simple SQL output parameterization

You can add dynamic interactivity to a published report such that when you execute or view it, you can specify how to constrain certain parts of the query data. This is called parameterization. This procedure requires a JDBC data source type.

Note: You can only use this procedure to parameterize data returned by a query. You cannot use a WHERE statement to dynamically choose columns or change the structure of tabular data. If you need to go beyond the capabilities of the method explained in this section, see Advanced SQL output parameterization to create a custom formula instead.

Perform the following steps to parameterize a report by adding an SQL WHERE statement to your query.

Open the report you want to parameterize.
Click the Data tab in the upper right pane.
Right-click the Parameters item in the Data pane, then select Add Parameter from the context menu.
The Add Parameter dialog box appears.

The table below describes each of the options for configuring the parameters:

Field	Purpose
Name	The name of the parameter in Report Designer.
Label	The label of the parameter that is shown to report readers.
Label formula	A formula that dynamically changes the name of the parameter on the report.
Value Type	The data type of the column you selected in the Value field.
Data Format	Determines how the data specified by the Value Type is formatted. This field is especially useful when formatting dates and timestamps.
Data Format formula	A formula that dynamically changes the value of the Data Format.
Default Value	The default value for the parameter. For a parameter with multiple values, the values are specified as arrays.
Default Value Formula	A formula that dynamically changes the Default Value or values.
Post-Processing Formula	A formula that updates a selected parameter. This formula is executed when a parameter is submitted, and can be used to validate parameter input. For example, you can change all text to be upper case.
Mandatory	Specifies whether this parameter is required to display any data in the report.
Hidden	Specifies whether to hide the parameter from displaying when the value is already passed in a session variable. This option can be used in combination with the Post-Processing Formula option to create a calculated parameter.
Hidden formula	A formula to hide a parameter when the formula evaluates to TRUE. If left blank, the selected parameter is hidden when the Hidden check box is selected.
Display Type	The parameter type.
Query	A list of queries that you have already defined. Use the toolbar above the left pane to define a new query.
Value	Field in the data source that is substituted in the query.
Display Value Formula	A formula that changes the contents inside the list or drop-down menu in the report.

Edit your target data source by double-clicking its entry in the Structure pane.
Below your FROM statement, add a WHERE statement that specifies which column you would like to query the user about. Assign it to a parameter that has a name descriptive enough for users to understand.
This column should be one of the columns you have a SELECT statement for in the same query.
Click OK to save the query.
Include the parameterized fields in your report by dragging them onto the canvas.
Publish or preview your report.

When you run this report, you are presented with an interactive field that specifies an adjustable constraint for the column you specified.

In the example below, the constraint would be a specific product line from the PRODUCTLINE column of the PRODUCTS table.

SELECT
                PRODUCTLINE,
                PRODUCTVENDOR,
                PRODUCTCODE,
                PRODUCTNAME,
                PRODUCTSCALE,
                PRODUCTDESCRIPTION,
                QUANTITYINSTOCK,
                BUYPRICE,
                MSRP
FROM
                PRODUCTS
WHERE PRODUCTLINE = ${ENTER_PRODUCTLINE}
ORDER BY
                PRODUCTLINE ASC,
                PRODUCTVENDOR ASC,
                PRODUCTCODE ASC