Add a New Data Connection
A data connection allows you to connect to a database and associated tables and views.
Note: Variables can be used to populate data connection settings (for example: the port number variable [[EBSDB_PORTNUMBER]], replaces the port number value).
To add a new data connection:
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Click the Dashboard Configuration button from the dashboard ribbon.
The Dashboard screen is displayed.
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Click the Data Connections tab.
The Data Connections tab is displayed.
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Click the Add button to add a new connection.
The new connection screen is displayed.
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Enter the relevant details.
The relevant fields on the Connections tab are described in the following table.
This button | Does this... |
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Data Connection Title | The name assigned to the data connection. This field is mandatory. |
Category | The data connection category. Choose from the drop-down list. |
Data Source Type | The data source type. Choose from the drop-down list. |
Host Name |
The host name. Variable: [[EBSDB_HOSTNAME]] |
Port Number |
The port number. Variable: [[EBSDB_PORTNUMBER]] |
Database Name |
The database name. Variable: [[EBSDB_NAME]] |
Database Instance |
The database instance. Variable: [[EBSDB_INSTANCENAME]] |
User Name |
The account used to access the database. This field is mandatory. Variable: [[EBSDB_USERNAME]] |
Password | The password for the account used to access the database. |
Database Date Time Format |
The date and time format. Variable: [[DEFAULT_DATABASE_DATE_TIME_FORMAT]] |
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Click Save.
A successful connection is indicated in the Connection field. The connection is added to the sidebar menu.
Tables and views can be added to your data connection by selecting from a schema list or by manually creating the item:
Tables and views can be added to your data connection by selecting from a schema list or by manually creating the item.
To add data to a connection with Select from Schema:
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Open the relevant data connection and select the Data tab.
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Click Add Table.
The table generation window is displayed where you can add tables or views.
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To enter details from the available options, click the Select from Schema tab.
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Browse to the relevant table or view, click the Expand button to reveal the contents.
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Browse the contents of the table or view. Select the relevant check box to include all columns for a table.
Alternately, click the Select all Columns button to include all columns contained in the relevant table, or click the Expand button to display a columns list.
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Select the columns that you want to include.
Note: You may have to alter the contents of the Name column if the object has already been included in another item in the data connection (for example: change 'Field name' to 'Fieldname').
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Click the Generate button in the right-hand corner.
The tables are added to the connection.
- Click Save.
To add data to a connection with Manual Creation:
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Open the relevant data connection and choose the Data tab.
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Click the Add Table button.
The table generation window is displayed where you can add tables or views to your data connection.
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To enter details manually, click the Manual Creation tab.
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Enter the relevant information.
The relevant fields on the Manual Creation tab are described in the following table.
This button | Does this... |
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Table Name | The name of the table or view |
Table Alias | The table or view's alias name. |
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Click the Generate button in the right-hand corner.
The table is added to the connection. To add columns to a table or view, select the relevant object.
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The Details screen is displayed.
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Click the Objects tab.
The Objects tab is displayed.
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Click the Add Columns button.
The table generation window is displayed
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Select the columns that you want to include.
Note: You can use the Object Type and Aggregate drop-down fields to change the values associated with the column.
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Click the Generate button in the right hand-corner.
The selected columns are added to the table.
- Click Save.
To join tables:
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Open the relevant data connection and choose the Data tab.
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Select an object.
The Details screen is displayed.
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Click the Joins tab.
The Joins tab is displayed.
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Click the Add table join button.
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Select the table to join.
The select joins sections are dispalyed.
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Browse to the first table that you want to join in the left-hand side section.
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Browse to the second table in the middle section.
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Click the Append to SQL button.
The tables to join are displayed in the Result section.
Note: You can choose the join type from Inner, Left or Right.
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Click Save.
The tables are added to the results section.