Excel as Data source in Cognos Analytics

Below are some of the tips/insights while working with Excel as data source in Cognos Analytics:-
  • When you upload an excel, by default it's stored in My Content. You need to move it to Team Content for common use.
  • When deploying excel from one environment to other, choose "Upload data option" in export options. That way data will be copied over as well.
  • Once excel is uploaded, clicking on it opens Dashboard creation Interface by default. You will need to create a data module with excel as source and create a report out of it to access raw data for any future update.
  • Excel Based reports doesn't show standard Report functions; however, you can copy variables created in other report to it and it will work. For example, ReportOutput() = 'HTML' to change layout based on html format output in excel based report is possible.
  •  If any calculation is needed for cleaning, it can be done in data module. Hide original column and just expose calculated columns for reporting need.

Use Cases deployed:
  •  Data dictionary/Meta data information for end users
  • Report - Table mapping Inventories

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