Saving a report with a shortcut to a stand-alone template or filter

A stand-alone template is a template created as an independent MicroStrategy object, using the Template Editor. The stand-alone template can then be used on many different reports. Similarly, a stand-alone filter is a filter created as an object, using the Filter Editor, in contrast to a filter created within a specific report. The stand-alone filter can then be used on many different reports, and also on metrics.

When you add a template or filter to a report, you can choose to either create a shortcut to the stand-alone template or filter, or to embed the template or filter in the report. The differences are described below:

When you create a shortcut to a stand-alone object, changes that you make to the object are propagated to this report and to all other reports that use the object as a shortcut. Changes that you make to this object within this report are propagated to the object, and to all other reports that use the object as a shortcut. Use this option to share report caches. This is sometimes referred to as a linked template or filter.
When you embed a copy of the object in the report, changes that you make to the stand-alone object are not propagated to this report. Changes that you make to the embedded object within this report are not propagated to the object. This is sometimes referred to as a local or report-specific template or filter.

When you save a report that contains a stand-alone template or filter, you can choose to save the template or filter as either a copy or a shortcut. The instructions below detail how to do that.

Reports with shortcuts to stand-alone templates and filters allow you to share report caches. If this is your intent, you must select the Retain the shortcuts option in the procedure. For more information about report caches, see Sharing report caches.

To save a report containing shortcuts

When you save a report with a shortcut to stand-alone template or filter, the Advanced Save Options dialog box opens, after you have named the report.
- To save a report, click Save on the File menu or Save and Close on the toolbar of the Report Editor or Report Viewer. The Save Report As dialog box opens. Select the folder in which to save the report, then type the name of the new report. Click Save.
If the report contains prompts, the Save Options dialog box opens after you have named the report. To access the Advanced Save Options dialog box, click Advanced on the Save Options dialog box. For detailed instructions on saving a prompted report, see Saving a prompted report.
If the report contains a shortcut to a stand-alone filter, select one of the following options for saving the report:
- Create a local copy of the filter. Changes that you make to the filter are not propagated to the original object, and vice versa. This is also called a local or embedded filter.
- Retain the shortcuts to the filter. Creating shortcuts allows you to use an object on a report, taking advantage of the benefits of object reuse. Changes that you make to the filter are propagated to the original object, and vice versa. Use this option to share report caches.
If the report contains a linked template, select one of the following options for saving the report:
- Create a local copy of the template. Changes that you make to the template are not propagated to the original object, and vice versa. This is also called a local or embedded template.
- Retain the shortcuts to the template. Creating shortcuts allows you to use an object on a report, taking advantage of the benefits of object reuse. Changes that you make to the template are propagated to the original object, and vice versa. Use this option to share report caches.
To use the selections that you made above as the defaults, select the Remember answers the next time I am prompted check box.
Click OK to save the report.

If the report contains prompts, you are returned to the Save Options dialog box. Click OK to save the report. For detailed instructions on saving a prompted report, see Saving a prompted report.