Using the Connectivity tool

The Connectivity tool enables users to easily define dependencies between dashboard control objects (such as Combo Box or List Box objects) and data-driven layout objects (such as a Grid or Bar Chart object).

About this task

You can also use the Connectivity tool to define dependencies between non-query driven objects such as Text Box objects and Label objects. The Connectivity tool is only available when creating visual dashboards.

To connect a source object to a target object using the Connectivity tool:

1. Create the source object. Select the object that will be the source object from the Palette view. Insert the object in your dashboard scene. In most cases the object that you select is one that can pass meaningful information to the target object. Typical source objects are control objects such as the List Box or Combo Box objects.
2. Create the target object. Select the object that will be the target object from the Palette view. Insert the object in your dashboard scene. In most cases you will select a target object that can change in some way after receiving meaningful information from the source object. Typical target objects are layout objects. When you create a layout object, you will specify the query that will supply the data for the layout object. The query should be placed in the Queries folder for the dashboard.
3. Click the Connectivity tool in the Palette view. Click the source object. A red dot appears. Click the target object.
4. If the target object is not a layout object, the source and target objects will be connected using a property value. The property value that is used is preset and based on the type of objects that are being connected. The Connectivity tool processing is complete. Review the properties for the target object as displayed in the Properties view. You will see the reference to the source object in the selected property cell. You can make manual changes to modify the property used to connect the two objects.
5. If the target object is a layout object, the source and target objects are connected using a parameter. You set up the parameter information in one of the following ways:
   • If the query for the target layout object does not include any parameters, then the Select the column to be connected to the source object page of the Connection Options wizard opens. Select the column from the Columns list that will be used to filter the query result data displayed in the target object based on the information in the parameter passed from your source object. Click Finish. You will be notified that a parameter has been added to the query for the layout object. Click OK. The two objects are connected. The Connectivity tool processing is complete.
   • If the query for the layout object already includes parameters, the Select a connection type page of the wizard opens. Click Set an existing query parameter to use one of the existing query parameters to pass connecting information from the source object to the target object. Click Next. The Select a query parameter page of the wizard opens. Select the parameter from the list of available parameters that have been defined for the query. Click Finish. The Connectivity tool processing is complete.
   • Click Filter by an available table column to select an available table column and create a new parameter. The Select the column to be connected to the source object page of the Connection Options wizard opens. Select the column from the Columns list that will be used to filter the query result data displayed in the target object based on the information in the parameter passed from your source object. Click Finish. You will be notified that a parameter has been added to the query for the layout object. Click OK. The two objects are connected. The Connectivity tool processing is complete.