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.- Each field originally selected will initially be unattached. The process of adding columns to the view requires that metadata be applied. Drag columns from the unattached table list to the folders you wish to apply them to.
- Fields are categorised into folders. These folders are related to the view category. The purpose of this is to assist end users to find the columns they require. Columns displayed in the list provide some indication of their metadata, such as; hierarchies, dimensions or metrics, and business name.
- Click the edit category link to create or delete categories for the current view type.
- On the field edit section a set of tabs provides reference to the metadata and business logic you can apply.
- The definition tab allows you to change the Business Name and Description of the column, as well as setting it to metric/dimension and active/draft.
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.
- 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.
- Either select a category from the left hand column and click the add button to add into the view subject area; or
- Click the ‘New Category’ Link to display a text box for a new category. Click ‘Add’ when to save.
- 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