BusinessObjects XI - Prompt for Block Type

BusinessObjects Web Intelligence reports can’t prompt the end users to display the data in table or chart on a report using its built-in features. However, this can be achieved by using a sophisticated technique that is demonstrated below.

• Prompt for Table or Chart when refreshing a document
• In Desktop Intelligence, this was easy with “Hide Block”
• But we can make it work in Web Intelligence, too

• We start in Universe Designer, and create a Prompt object
• Disclaimer: This object will not parse, but will work when used with other objects

• Next, we create a query, using the new object

• None of those objects are used in the report
• Create 2 variables for each universe object:

Chart Year: =If(UserResponse("Display Data in
Table or Chart?")="Chart";[Year])
Table Year: =If(UserResponse("Display Data in
Table or Chart?")="Table";[Year])

• Create a table using the “Table” variables
• Create a chart using the “Chart” variables
• Set the Table and Chart to not be shown when empty
• Place the chart on top of the table

The Result: