Generating a Report

One of the most useful features of projects is the ability to generate reports based on the project items and annotations. This is a critical component of effective data mining, as discussed throughout the CRISP-DM methodology. You can generate a report directly into one of several file types or to an output window on the screen for immediate viewing. From there, you can print, save, or view the report in a web browser. You can distribute saved reports to others in your organization.

Reports are often generated from project files several times during the data mining process for distribution to those involved in the project. The report culls information about the objects referenced from the project file as well as any annotations created. You can create reports based on either the Classes view or CRISP-DM view.

To generate a report:

  1. Select the project folder in either CRISP-DM or Classes view.
  2. Right-click the folder and click Project Report.
  3. Specify the report options and click Generate Report.

The options in the report dialog box provide several ways to generate the type of report you need:

Output name. Specify the name of the output window if you choose to send the output of the report to the screen. You can specify a custom name or let IBM® SPSS® Modeler automatically name the window for you.

Output to screen. Select this option to generate and display the report in an output window. Note that you have the option to export the report to various file types from the output window.

Output to file. Select this option to generate and save the report as a file of the type specified in the File type list.

Filename. Specify a filename for the generated report. Files are saved by default to the IBM SPSS Modeler \bin directory. Use the ellipsis button (...) to specify a different location.

File type. Available file types are:

  • HTML document. The report is saved as a single HTML file. If your report contains graphs, they are saved as PNG files and are referenced by the HTML file. When publishing your report on the Internet, make sure to upload both the HTML file and any images it references.
  • Text document. The report is saved as a single text file. If your report contains graphs, only the filename and path references are included in the report.
  • Microsoft Word document. The report is saved as a single document, with any graphs embedded directly into the document.
  • Microsoft Excel document. The report is saved as a single spreadsheet, with any graphs embedded directly into the spreadsheet.
  • Microsoft PowerPoint document. Each phase is shown on a new slide. Any graphs are embedded directly into the PowerPoint slides.
  • Output object. When opened in IBM SPSS Modeler, this file (.cou) is the same as the Output to screen option in the Report Format group.

Note: To export to a Microsoft Office file, you must have the corresponding application installed.

Title. Specify a title for the report.

Report structure. Select either CRISP-DM or Classes. CRISP-DM view provides a status report with "big-picture" synopses as well as details about each phase of data mining. Classes view is an object-based view that is more appropriate for internal tracking of data and streams.

Author. The default user name is displayed, but you can change it.

Report includes. Select a method for including objects in the report. Select all folders and objects to include all items added to the project file. You can also include items based on whether Include in Report is selected in the object properties. Alternatively, to check on unreported items, you can choose to include only items marked for exclusion (where Include in Report is not selected).

Select. This option allows you to provide project updates by selecting only recent items in the report. Alternatively, you can track older and perhaps unresolved issues by setting parameters for old items. Select all items to dismiss time as a parameter for the report.

Order by. You can select a combination of the following object characteristics to order them within a folder:

  • Type. Group objects by type.
  • Name. Organize objects alphabetically.
  • Added date. Sort objects using the date they were added to the project.