Browse Data

You can use this function to search for data in database tables.

Based on the fields available in the selected database table, you can define selection criteria by including specific fields and entering the values that you are looking for. If you do not want to narrow the selection, you can view the contents of the database directly. If you do not use any selection criteria at all, large amounts of data can be generated depending on which database and which fields you have selected. The more fields you define criteria for, the narrower the search will be. When you have defined the selection, you open the Browse Table window, where you can sort the result rows using the drag and drop method.

For information about how to analyze data tracked with the System Audit Log function, see Tracking of Metadata.

The operator in the Test field determines what type of value to look for.

  • = Shows all values or strings equal to the defined criteria. For example, konto = '1390' only displays the account 1390 in the result window.
  • <> Shows all values or strings separated from the defined criteria.
  • < Shows all values or strings less than the defined criteria.
  • <= Shows all values or strings less than or equal to the defined criteria.
  • > Shows all values or strings greater than the defined criteria.
  • >= Shows all values or strings greater than or equal to the defined criteria.
  • IN Shows all values or strings you specify. The test values are entered within parentheses and single citation marks. When entering several test values, they are separated by a comma (,). For example, konto IN ('1310','2081') will display both account 1310 and account 2081.
  • NOT IN Shows all values or strings apart from the ones you specify. The test values are entered within parentheses and single citation marks. When entering several test values, they are separated by a comma (,) For example, konto NOT IN ('1310','2081') shows all accounts except 1310 and 2081.
  • BETWEEN Shows all test values within the specified range. Separate the start value and the end value with AND. For example, konto BETWEEN '1310' AND '2081' shows all accounts between the accounts 1310 and 2081.
  • LIKE Shows all test values within the specified criteria. Here you can use wild cards to search for similar strings or values. For example, konto LIKE '131_' shows all four character accounts starting with 131. Another example, fkod LIKE 'FR%' shows all dimension codes starting with FR.
  • NOT LIKE Shows all test values except the specified criteria. Here you can use wild cards to search for similar strings or values. For example, fkod NOT LIKE 'FR%' shows all dimension codes except the ones starting with FR

Procedure

  1. On the Maintain menu, select Special Utilities/Browse Data. The Browse Data window opens.
  2. From the Browse Table drop down list box, select the database table you want to browse. The fields of the selected table are displayed. The first column displays the field name.
  3. Select the Include column to include the field in your browse result report.
  4. In the Test column, select the test operator to be used and enter the test value in the Test Value column.

    For example, select the field name Company, the test operator is = and the test value 1100, which will show all values for company 1100.

  5. Drag and drop the selected fields in the Browse Data window to define the sort order. To select a field to drag, click on the left side of the row and then drop the field where you want it.
  6. Click the Print button to print the browse definition or click the Preview button to view the report before printing it.
  7. Click the View button to display the browse result in a secondary window, the Browse Table window.

Results

Normally you do not use the Compress button. You only need it if an IBM Cognos® representative asks you to use it and instructs you of which file format to export. The button will create a file that can only be read by IBM Cognos Controller help desk.