Oracle Fusion HCM OTBI - Chapter 5: Filtering and Prompts in OTBI Reports?

 

Oracle Fusion HCM OTBI - Chapter 5: Filtering and Prompts in OTBI Reports?

📖 Content

Why Use Filters and Prompts?
Filters and prompts in OTBI allow users to customize and narrow down the data displayed in a report. Filters are static and defined during report creation, while prompts are dynamic inputs that allow users to interact with reports at runtime.

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🧰 Understanding Filters in OTBI

Filters are applied in the Criteria tab to limit data based on specific values.

✅ How to Add a Filter:

1. Open your analysis in OTBI.

2. Go to the Criteria tab.

3. Click the funnel icon next to a column (e.g., Department Name).

4. Choose a filter condition (e.g., is equal to, is not null, contains).

5. Enter the value (e.g., "Finance").

🎯 Example:

Show only employees in the "Finance" department.

• Column: Department Name

• Filter: is equal to 'Finance'

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🧩 Understanding Prompts in OTBI

Prompts are used to make reports dynamic, allowing users to select values at runtime.

Types of Prompts:

• Column Prompt: Based on a specific column like Job Name.

• Variable Prompt: Based on a presentation variable.

• Image/Text Prompt: Used for layout/design purposes.

✅ How to Create a Prompt:

1. Go to the Prompts tab.

2. Click Create Prompt > Column Prompt.

3. Choose a subject area and column (e.g., Department Name).

4. Set options:

   • User input required?

   • Default value?

   • Choice list type? (Drop-down, check boxes, etc.)

5. Save the prompt.

6. Add the prompt to a dashboard or report to activate it.

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🧠 Real-Time Scenario Example:

You want to create a report where users can select a specific department before viewing the employee list.

• Add a prompt for Department Name

• Filter the analysis using the prompt

• Output will change based on the selected department at runtime

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⚖️ Difference: Filter vs Prompt

Feature	Filter	Prompt
Type	Static	Dynamic
Who sets it	Report creator	End user at runtime
Flexibility	Fixed during development	Customizable per user
Use Case	Limit output permanently	Allow user-driven filtering

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💡 Tips:

• Combine filters and prompts to control data visibility.

• Use presentation variables with prompts to reference values in filters.

• Add default values to prompts to improve user experience.

🔹 Next Steps

• Previous Chapter:  Oracle Fusion HCM OTBI - Chapter 4: Creating a Basic OTBI Analysis

• Next Chapter:  Oracle Fusion HCM OTBI - Chapter 6: Working with Folders and Columns in OTBI