How to filter a report using a comma-separated string entered in a text box

This document outlines a technique that allows users to enter a comma-separated string of multiple values that can be passed to a report parameter as a list of multiple items (essentially behaving as a mult-select prompt.) Text box prompts in IBM Cognos BI have a special 'Multi-Select' mode that allows users to enter multiple values to pass to a parameter in a report. To use a multi-select text box prompt, a user has to enter a value and hit an 'Insert' button to take a just-entered value and add it to a list of items that is passed to the report parameter. In some cases, a more efficient way to pass multiple text strings to a parameter in a report is to enter comma separated values such as, "Camping Equipment, Mountaineering Equipment, Golf Equipment" rather than entering each value and hitting the "Insert" button in a multi-select text box prompt. There is no direct way to have a text box prompt handle a comma-separated value string, but we can create this behaviour by using some query macro functions. [Note that as of the writing of this document, this technique does not work with dimensional data sources like cubes or DMR models.]