Specify the Default Prompt Values for a Report

You can use prompt values to specify the range of data included in a report when it is run, for example, a date range.

You may be prompted for values if the report author defines prompts in the report or if there is more than one connection or signon. For information about adding prompts to reports, see the IBM® Cognos® Report Studio User Guide, the Query Studio User Guide, or the Analysis Studio User Guide.

If you are the report author, you can create default prompt values for a report. When the report is run, the data is automatically filtered based on the prompt values that you specify. The user does not have to specify prompt values when the report is run. You may find this useful if most users use the same prompt values each time they run a report.

If you have write access to a report and change the prompt values, those values are saved for everyone running the report after you. If you consistently use prompt values that differ from the majority of users, create a report view of the report Create a Report View in your personal folders.

By default, you are prompted for values each time the report runs. You can change this in the report properties Entry Properties or when you set run options for a report Set Report Options for the Current Run.

Before you begin

To set default prompt values, you must have read and write permissions for the report and read or traverse permissions for the folder that contains the report.

Procedure

In IBM Cognos Connection, click the set properties button next to the report you want to change.
On the Report tab for Report Studio reports, the Query tab for Query Studio reports, or the Analysis tab for Analysis Studio reports, under Prompt values, click either Set or Edit.
If the report does not have saved prompt values, the run options show No values saved and clicking Set results in a message indicating that the report does not contain prompts.
Select the default value for the prompts and click OK.
If you want to be prompted each time the report is run, select the Prompt for values check box.
If the check box is selected, you will be prompted for values if the report contains prompts or if you have access to multiple data source connections or signons.

If the check box is not selected and the report is run interactively, you will be prompted only if there are missing values or if you have access to more than one connection or signon. The report will have missing values if saved prompts or default prompts were specified for the report.

If the check box is not selected and the report is run in the background, the report fails if prompt values are missing.
Click OK.