Strategy One

Create a Hierarchy Qualification Prompt Based on a Related Set of Attributes

The hierarchy qualification prompt allows users to create their own report filter using attributes and attribute elements from:

  • A specific hierarchy
  • All hierarchies in the project
  • Specific hierarchies returned by a search object

For an explanation of what a hierarchy is, see the Answering Questions about Data chapter in the Basic Reporting Help.

Comparing Filter Definition Prompts

Of the filter definition prompts for attributes, the hierarchy qualification prompt allows users to select from the widest number of attribute elements when they are choosing prompt answers to define their filtering criteria. The attribute qualification prompt is more restrictive, allowing users to choose from the fewest number of attribute elements to define their filter criteria. The attribute element list prompt is the most restrictive, allowing users to choose from the fewest number of attribute elements to define their filter criteria.

Create a Hierarchy Qualification Prompt

If you want users to answer the prompt by selecting from the results of a search object, create the search object before creating the prompt.

  1. Open the Workstation window.
  2. From the File menu, select New Prompt.
  3. If you are connected to multiple environments or projects, select the environment and project to create the prompt in.

  4. From the Select the Type of Prompt to Begin drop-down list, select Attribute in a Hierarchy.

  5. In the All Attributes in a Hierarchy box, search for and add the hierarchy or hierarchies which contains the attributes that the user is prompted to choose from as they create the filter for the report.

    • You can also drag and drop objects from the Object Browser.

    • You can include all hierarchies in the project. Click the box and select List All Hierarchies.

  6. Once users select a hierarchy, the prompt displays the related attributes and attribute elements they can select their filter criteria from. By default, all attribute forms display. You can determine which attribute forms to display to the user by clicking All Forms. Select one of the following options:

    • To allow users to see and select from attribute elements within all attribute forms, click All Forms. This is the default choice.
    • To allow users to see and select from only the attribute forms defined as browse forms, click Browse Forms. All attribute forms defined as browse forms are displayed in the Data Explorer when the user browses the related attribute. Browse forms are specified in MicroStrategy Developer. For more information, see the Project Design Help.
    • To let users see only the attribute forms defined as report display forms, see Report Forms. All attribute forms defined as report display forms are included in report results for a report that uses the related attribute.

  7. Edit the predefined text for the Prompt title and instructions by clicking the text. Type a new Prompt Title and Instructions in the boxes.

  8. To set minimums and maximums, require a prompt answer, and enable personal answers, click None next to Answer restrictions.

    • To set the limit on the number of attribute elements that a user can select as answers, select the Maximum Number of Elements Per Selection check box and type the value in the box.

    • To set the minimum number of attribute qualifications that can be created by the user, select the Minimum Number of Qualifications check box and type the value in the box. You can specify a minimum even if you do not specify a maximum.

    • To set the maximum number of attribute qualifications that can be created by the user, select the Maximum Number of Qualifications check box and type the value in the box. You can specify a maximum even if you do not specify a minimum.

    • To require users to answer the prompt before running the report, select the Prompt Answer Required check box.

    • To determine whether users can save and reuse their prompt answers, select the Allow Personal Answers check box. Choose how many prompt answers they can save for the prompt:

      • Single Save and reuse only one prompt answer.

      • Multiple Save and reuse multiple prompt answers.

  9. If users tend to create the same qualification, define that as the default. Default answers are automatically selected and save users time.
    1. Click None next to Default Answer.
    2. In the Based On box, select one of the prompt's attributes.
    3. In the Qualify On drop-down list, select Elements or one of the attribute forms.
    4. If you selected Elements, complete the following steps:
      1. In the Operator drop-down list, choose In List or Not In List.
      2. Search for and select the attribute elements to include in the list.
    5. If you selected an attribute form, complete the following steps:
      1.  In the Operator drop-down list, choose an operator such as Equals or Contains.
      2. Type a Value or create a Custom expression.
    6. Click Done.
    7. You can add another qualification to the default answer. Click New Qualification and repeat the steps above.
  10. Click Save in the upper left.

    Use the Prompt

  11. Add your attribute element list prompt to a report, filter, or custom group:
    • To let users determine the data that is included in the report, add a hierarchy qualification prompt to the report's filter.
    • To let users determine the data to use in a filter, add a hierarchy qualification prompt to a filter.
    • To let users determine the data to include in a custom group, add a hierarchy qualification prompt to a custom group.