Saved Report Output

By default, the report output files are saved in the content store. You have also have the following choices for saving report output files:

• You can save a copy in another file location outside of Cognos 8 so that you can share it with external applications or people who don’t have Cognos 8 . This is how most report output files are saved.

• You can save a copy in another file location inside Cognos 8 so that it can be used again . This may also be useful for archive purposes, since files that are saved in the Content Store may be deleted regularly due to retention rules.

A descriptor file with an _descr extension is also saved. Saved files are not managed by Cognos 8.

Set File Location to Save a Copy of Report Output Outside of Cognos 8

You can specify that an additional copy of report output be saved in a file system outside of Cognos 8. For example, users may want to share a report with an external application, such as a web site, and have it saved there every time it is updated so that current content is always available. Users may also want to save reports on a Local Area Network for people who do not have access to Cognos 8.

In Cognos Connection, if users select Save to the file system as the report delivery method when they run or schedule a report, the files are saved in the specified location each time the report runs.

There are two associated properties in Cognos Configuration that must be set first: one enables saving file output to a file system, the other specifies the root directory for saving files. For more information, see the Cognos 8 Installation and Configuration Guide.

You must have the required permissions to access Cognos Administration functionality. See Secured Functions and Features.

Steps

1. Start Cognos Connection.

2. In the upper-right corner, click Launch, Cognos Administration.

3. On the Configuration tab, click Dispatchers and Services.

4. On the toolbar, click the Define File System Locations button .

5. Click New.

6. Enter a name, description, and screen tip.

7. In File systems location box, type the location where you want to save report output files.

   The location that you type is appended to the File system root location.

8. Click Finish.

Set File Location to Save Copy of Report Output in Cognos 8

By default, report output files are saved in the content store. For single-file report outputs, you can also save a copy of the output in a file location in Cognos 8 so that you can use it again. This may also be useful for archive purposes, since files that are saved in the Content Store may be deleted regularly due to retention rules.

The following formats can be saved: PDF, .csv, XML, Excel 2002, and HTML that does not have embedded graphics. You cannot save HTML fragment, XMTML, or Excel 2000 or 2007 single sheet formats.

In Cognos Connection, if users select Save to the file system as the report delivery method when they run or schedule a report, the files are saved in the specified location each time the report runs.

The file location applies to saved output originating from the selected Content Manager service.

Steps

1. Start Cognos Connection.

2. In the upper-right corner, click Launch, Cognos Administration.

3. On the Status tab, click System.

4. In the upper-left corner of the Scorecard pane, click the arrow to view the Change view menu. Click Services, and then click Content Manager.

5. Click the arrow next to ContentManagerService to display the Actions menu, and then click Set properties.

6. Click the Settings tab.

7. Click Edit next to Advanced Settings.

8. Select Override the settings acquired from the parent entry.

9. In the Parameter column, enter the parameter name.

   For example, enter CM.OutPutLocation.

10. In the Value column, enter the associated value for the setting.

11. Continue entering setting names and values as required.

12. Click OK.

13. On the Set properties page, click OK.