Dropdown

This is applicable when input type for the parameter is Dropdown or Option. Values that should appear on Dropdown / Option can be pre-defined or fetched dynamically from database using an SQL.

To set pre-defined values

You need to follow the below steps to set pre-defined values for a dropdown parameter:

1. Under Dropdown Source, select Pre Defined

2. In Display Name entry box, specify the value that should be displayed on Input Parameter Form (IPF).

3. In Value entry box, specify the value that should be used (passed as filter).

4. Click  button to add multiple values in the dropdown list.

5. Click  button to upload a list of parameter values from any existing file for predefined values of a dropdown parameter. You can also specify the Enclosed By, Separator, etc. while specifying the list of parameter values.

Figure 4: Pre Defined values for a Dropdown Parameter

You can further perform the following actions on the Dropdown parameter list:

• Select the item you wish to edit and specify a new value. Click  button to update the values of the selected item in the list.

• To delete an item from list, select the value and click  button. Click  button to delete all items from list.

• To move a value up in the list, select the value and click  button.

• To move a value down in the list, select the value and click  button.

To get dynamic values

You need to follow the below steps to get dynamic values for a dropdown parameter:

1. Under Dropdown Source, select Dynamic

2. In Source Statement, specify SQL to be used to get data.

Tip: To fetch all the fields from a table, instead of writing entire SQL (for example, SELECT * FROM PRODUCT), you may specify only table name (For example, PRODUCT).

3. Click Verify If the SQL is valid, the fields it returned will be listed in Display Column and Value Column.

Note: If SQL is invalid, an error message will be displayed in SQL box.

4. In Display Column, select the field whose value should be displayed to the user. For example, SALESPERSON.

5. In Value Column, select the field whose value should be used (passed as filter). For example, SALESPERSONID.

Figure 5: Defining an SQL (under Dynamic) for a Dropdown Parameter

A parameter can also be used on report as a control (like other report fields).  Check Display Parameter Name checkbox and specify a name.  This name will appear as control name on report designer, which you can drag and drop on canvas (the report layout area).  Display Parameter Name has no effect when the Parameter Object is used in Ad hoc Report.