Prepare

Overview

Once a view has been defined either through the View Builder, SQL clause or straight from the database you will need to define the field definitions and apply business metadata to them.

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1. Each field originally selected will initially be unattached. The process of adding fields to the view requires that metadata be applied. Drag fields from the Table Fields list to the folders you wish to apply them to.
2. Fields are grouped into folders. The purpose of this is to assist end users to find the fields they require. Fields displayed in the list provide some indication of their metadata, such as; hierarchies, dimensions or metrics, and business name.
3. Click the <icon> to access a create menu that contains the following funtions:
   1. Add Fields - this will expand the Table Fields panel, allowing you to add new fields to the view.
   2. Add/Edit Folders - this will open the Field Folders lightbox, allowing you to adjust the folders used to group fields in the view.
   3. Calculated Field - this will open the Calculated Field lightbox, allowing you to build a calculation to be included in the view.
   4. Calculated Filter - this will open the Calculated Filter lightbox, allowing you to build a filter to be included in the view.
   5. Parameter - this will open the Parameter lightbox, allowing you to define a parameter to be included in the view.
   6. Grouped Data - this will open the Group Data lightbox, allowing you to define a field made up of groups of values based on another field, to be included in the view.
   7. Date Function - this will open the Date Function lightbox, allowing you to define a new field calculated based on a date field, to be included in the view.
   8. Filter Group - this will open the Filter Group lightbox, allowing you to start creating a group of filters to be included as a set in the view.
4. The menu bar contains menus that allow for metadata preparation as well as access to security and view options. 
   1. View Options
   2. Field Settings
   3. View Security
   4. Data Profiling
   5. View Info
5. The blue heading bar displays the name of the field folder the fields are grouped into.
6. The field name can be clicked on to rename it.
7. The profiling bar will display a histogram of the data profiling result. Clicking on this will open the data profile panel on the right of the screen.
8. The Data Profile panel shows a full breakdown of the profiling applied to the selected field.

  

Define View Fields

A major process of setting up a new view and creating meta data is column definition. Using Yellowfin you can give columns sourced from your database business terminology or create new columns derived from data included in the view. This section includes information on managing and updating the columns included in your view.

Making Fields Available for Reporting

Unattached fields are grouped into their source table folders in the Unattached Field list. Click on the field name and drag it into the appropriate folder.

Note: You can add the same field multiple times into your view. This is useful if you wish to use the same field in multiple hierarchies or with different formatting applied.

If you do add the same field multiple times ensure that the business descriptions are unique – since Yellowfin needs to be able to differentiate the fields during import and export processes.

 

Field Folders

Fields are categorised to assist your end users to better understand the context of the field that they are adding to a report. The categorisation allows you to group columns into particular subject areas.

 

Apply Folder

To categorise a field select a category from the category drop down on the Definition tab. This will place the field into a folder with that category as title.

 

Edit / Add Folders

The categories are related to the type of view you are creating – for example if the view has been categorised as a Finance view then the categories available should be those relating to the finance function.

By editing categories you can either add existing categories into the Finance subject area or create brand new categories for the finance area.

1. To add or edit categories click the ‘Edit Categories’ link on the view definition page. This will open the add category popup. Existing categories for the view subject area will be displayed on the right hand side whilst all other available categories will be displayed in the left hand list.
2. Either select a category from the left hand column and click the add button to add into the view subject area; or
3. Click the ‘New Category’ Link to display a text box for a new category. Click ‘Add’ when to save.
4. Once your View Subject area has all the categories required click ‘save & close’ to close the popup and return to the field edit page.

 

Field Display Order

The order in which fields are displayed in the report builder for the end user can be modified by the view administrator. 
By clicking on a field and dragging it above or below fields or to different folders you can change the order of the field as it will be displayed to the user when creating a report.

Note: If you are moving a field below a hierarchy of fields then a single move up or down will move the field past the entire hierarchy not just a single field.

 

Field Drop Down Menu

Each field in the view has a drop down menu with access to a range of options related to it. This menu can be accessed via two methods:

 

The options available will depend on the type of field that has been selected. They will include a selection of the following:

• • Field Type

• • Default Aggregation
  • Drill To
  • Rename
  • Edit Format
  • Edit Calculation
  • Edit Filter Calculation
  • Edit Grouped Data
  • New Grouped Data Field
  • Configure Filter Group
  • Link to GeoPack
  • Profile
  • Convert
  • Copy
  • Delete