You select the file to import from your own
computer, or from your local area network.
You select
which columns to import.
You then specify a namespace to use.
The namespace provides a unique name to associate with the data items
that you import. The namespace appears in the data tree in the Source tab 
and is used to
organize the data items. By default, the namespace is the imported
file name without the extension.
If you change the default
name for the namespace, you are prompted to select the external data
file each time that you run the report. To avoid this prompt, select
the Allow server to automatically load file check
box.
Procedure
-
Click the Data icon
, click the Source tab , right-click the package for which you want to add external data and then click Manage external data.
- On the Select Data page of the wizard,
under External data file, click Browse and
select your external data file to import.
If you want
the server to load the file without prompting users when they run
the report, select the Allow the server to automatically
load the file check box.
If selected, you must
use the Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path, such as \\servername\filename,
and you must ensure that the IBM® Cognos® server has access to the
file.
- Under Data items, select the check
box for the data items that you want to import.
- Type a name for the namespace and click Next.
The namespace appears in the Source tree,
and identifies the external data within the package. By default, the
name is the name of your imported external data file.
- If you do not want to link your data or change the data
attributes, click Finish now.