Access and Manage Business Views

1. When you click Business Views icon in the left navigation menu, the Business Views page is displayed.

2. On the Business Views page, you can view the business views (reports published as business views) available in the Reports Center.

   

3. You can view the following information for each business view:

   • Name: Indicates the name of the business view. Click the expand arrow (▼) next to the name to view the description and additional details.

   • Author: Indicates the name of the person who published the business view.

   • Date Modified: Indicates the date when the business view was last updated or modified.

   • Actions > Delete: Indicates the option to remove the business view from the Reports Center(available to owner only).

4. To open any business view, click the required business view. The business view page is displayed.

   Note: Feature availability varies based on user permissions and roles. Some options described in this document are only accessible to business view owners or administrators. Contact your administrator if you need access to specific features.

   1. Source Creation

      Indicates the main section where you configure and define how the business view is created. This section contains the source definition (where data comes from) and data entity definition (what data to include). It serves as the primary workspace for building and organizing your business view structure.

      1. Source Definition: Indicates the configuration section where you enter the basic information that identifies and describes the business view.

         1. Name: Indicates the name for the business view that appears in lists and search results.

         2. Tags: Indicates the keywords or labels that help organize and filter business views by category, department, or topic.

         3. Description: Indicates the detailed information that explains the business view's content, purpose, and usage to other users.

            Entity

      2. Data Entity Definition

         When you click the Add button in the Entities section (located in the Data Entity Definition area), following is displayed:

         

         Data Entity: Indicates the option to add a standard data entity to your business view. A data entity represents a table, view, or data source that contains the actual data you want to include in your business view.

         • From Connection: Indicates the option to add a data entity by connecting to an existing database, data warehouse, or other connected data source to pull data into your business view. If you have selected From Connection, provide the following details in the Entity Details section:

            

           • Entity Name: Indicates the name of the data entity to identify within your business view configuration.

           • Select Connection: Indicates the dropdown menu where you select which database connection or data source to use for accessing the entity's data.

           • Select Schema: Indicates the dropdown menu where you select the database schema that contains the entity or table you want to use.

           • Select Entity: Indicates the dropdown menu where you select which data file to use as the source for this entity.

           • Entity Data Cache: Indicates the toggle switch that enables or disables data caching for this entity to improve performance by storing temporary copies of the data.

           • Available Fields: Indicates the searchable list with checkboxes where you can select which fields (columns) from the entity to include in your business view.

           • Preview: Indicates the section that displays a real-time sample of actual data from the entity based on your selected fields.

           • Apply: Indicates the button that saves all current entity configuration settings and applies the changes to the business view.

           • Cancel: Indicates the button that discards any unsaved changes and returns to the previous screen without applying modifications.

         • From File: Indicates the option to add a data entity by uploading a file from your computer. Select this when you want to use data from a CSV, Excel, or other supported file format as your data source. If you have selected From File, provide the following details in the Entity Details section:

            

           • Entity Name: Indicates the name of the data entity to identify within your business view configuration.

           • Select File: Indicates the required dropdown menu where you select which uploaded data file to use as the source for this entity.
           • Upload New File: Indicates the button that allows you to browse your computer and upload a new data file (such as CSV, Excel, or other supported formats) to use as the entity's data source.
           • API Endpoints: Indicates the button that allows you to view API endpoints for programmatic access to this entity's data.

           • Apply: Indicates the button that saves all current entity configuration settings and applies the changes to the business view.

           • Cancel: Indicates the button that discards any unsaved changes and returns to the previous screen without applying modifications.

           Whenever you add a data entity in the data entity section, the Join Definition section is displayed.

           Note: To create joins, you need at least two data entities added to your business view.

           To add Joins, provide the following information in the Join Settings section and click Apply:

           • Entity Left: Indicates the dropdown field where you select the first (left) entity to participate in the join.

           • Join Type: Indicates the dropdown field where you select the type of join relationship between the two entities.

             • Inner Join: Returns only records that have matching values in both entities. This is the most common join type and only includes rows where the join condition is met in both tables.

             • Left Join (Left Outer Join): Returns all records from the left entity and matching records from the right entity. If no match exists, the result contains NULL values for right entity fields.

             • Right Join (Right Outer Join): Returns all records from the right entity and matching records from the left entity. If no match exists, the result contains NULL values for left entity fields.

           • Entity Right: Indicates the dropdown field where you select the second (right) entity to participate in the join.

           • Field Left: Indicates the dropdown field where you select which field (column) from the left entity to use for the join condition.

           • Field Right: Indicates the dropdown field where you select which field (column) from the right entity to use for the join condition.

      Filter Values Entity: Indicates the option to add a specialized entity that provides filter values for your business view. A filter values entity is used to define available filter options or create dynamic filtering capabilities based on data from another source.

      1. From Connection: Indicates the option to add a filter values entity from an existing database connection. Select this when you want filter options to come from a database table or view, enabling dynamic filters that update based on available data in the connected source.

      2. From File: Indicates the option to add a filter values entity by uploading a file. Select this when you want to define filter options using data from a CSV, Excel, or other file format.

      Export Source, Preview Source, Copy Source, and Save Source: Indicate the action buttons that allow you to export the complete business view configuration to a file for backup or sharing, preview how the business view will appear before saving, create a duplicate copy of the current business view configuration, and save all configuration changes to update the business view respectively.

   2. Fields

      Fields

      Indicates the configuration page where you can view, manage, and control the visibility, labels, types, and data types of all fields in your business view, including options to set unique keys, upload translations, update capabilities, and add derived or hierarchy fields.

      

      The table below displays all fields in your business view with their current configuration:

      • Visible: Indicates the toggle switch column that controls whether each field is displayed and available for use in the business view or hidden from view.

      • Label: Indicates the display name of the field as it appears to users in business views.

      • Type: Indicates whether the field is a native field (original field from the data source) or a derived field (created through calculations, custom metrics, or transformations).

      • Data Type: Indicates the classification of data the field contains, which determines how the field can be used in calculations, filters, sorting, and visualizations.

      The Field Configuration page also offers the following options:

      • Set Unique Key

        Indicates a field or combination of fields that uniquely identifies each record (row) in your data, ensuring that no two records have the same value in that field or field combination.

        1. Click Set Unique Key. The Fields window is displayed.

        2. Select the unique key from the search field and click Save.

      • Upload Transition File

        Click the Upload Transition File. Browse the file you want to upload and click Open.

      • Update Field Capabilities

        Allows you to enable or disable multiple capabilities across multiple fields simultaneously, rather than configuring each field individually. This saves time when you need to apply the same capability settings to many fields at once.

        1. Click Update Field Capabilities. The Bulk Update Field Capabilities window is displayed.

        2. Enable or disable the following based on your requirement:

           • Details: Indicates whether detailed information or drill-down capabilities are enabled for the field, allowing users to view additional details or expand field information.

           • Filtering: Indicates whether the field can be used as a filter in reports and visualizations, allowing users to narrow down data based on this field's values.

           • Grouping: Indicates whether the field can be used to group or categorize data in reports and visualizations, enabling users to organize data by this field's values.

           • Metrics: Indicates whether the field can be used as a metric or measure in calculations, aggregations, and analytical operations.

           • Playing: Indicates whether the field supports playback or animation features (such as time-based animations showing data changes over time).

           • Raw Data : Indicates whether the raw, unprocessed data values for this field are accessible or visible to users, allowing them to view the original data without any transformations or formatting.

      • Add Derived Field

        Indicates the feature that allows you to create a new field based on calculations, transformations, or combinations of existing fields in your business view.

        To add a derived field, perform the following:

        1. Click Add Derived Field. The Custom Metrics Editor is displayed.

        2. Click Untitled Derived Field to enter a name for your derived field.

        3. In the Derived Field Editor, create your calculation by either:

           • Typing the expression directly, or

           • Using the Expression Builder to construct the formula

        4. Click Run to run the expression.

        5. Review the calculated results in the Preview section.

      • Add Hierarchy Field

        A special field structure that organizes data into levels (like a tree or ladder), where each level represents increasing detail or specificity. It allows users to start with high-level summaries and progressively drill down into more detailed information.

        To add a hierarchy field, click Add Hierarchy Field. The Add Hierarchy Field is displayed.

        Provide the following details and click Save.

        • Label: Indicates the required text input field where you enter the name for this hierarchy level.

        • Parent Field: Indicates the required dropdown menu where you select which field represents the parent (broader) level in the hierarchy relationship.

        • Child Field: Indicates the required dropdown menu where you select which field represents the child (more specific) level in the hierarchy relationship.

        • Label Field: Indicates the dropdown menu where you select which field's values will be displayed as labels in the hierarchy visualization.

      Custom Metrics

      Indicates the feature that allows you to create calculated fields or custom calculations based on existing fields in your business view using mathematical expressions and formulas.

      To create a custom metric, perform the following:

      1. Click Add Custom Metric. The Custom Metrics Editor is displayed.

      2. Click Untitled Custom Metric to enter a name for your custom metric.

      3. In the Custom Metric Editor, create your calculation by either:

         • Typing the expression directly, or

         • Using the Expression Builder to construct the formula

      4. Click Run to run the expression.

      5. Review the calculated results in the Preview section.

   3. Cache

      Indicates the section where you can manage caching settings for the business view. Caching temporarily stores data to improve performance and speed up data retrieval. This section allows you to configure cache refresh intervals, enable or disable caching, and manage how frequently the business view updates its stored data to ensure users see current information while maintaining optimal performance.

      

      • Data Cache

        Indicates the toggle switch that enables or disables caching of query results. When enabled, it allows multiple visualizations to access common cached data from the current source without repeatedly querying the database, improving performance and reducing database load.

      • Statistics Cache

        Indicates the toggle switch that enables or disables caching of field statistical metadata. When enabled, it caches statistical information such as minimum values, maximum values, and distinct value counts for fields, improving performance when generating reports or visualizations that use these statistics.

      • Fields Statistics Configuration

        Indicates the section where you configure caching settings at the individual field level.

        Schedule Refresh Settings: Indicates the toggle switch with an information icon that enables or disables automated cache refresh scheduling. When enabled, it allows you to configure automatic cache refresh at specified intervals to ensure cached data stays current.

      • Search Bar

        Indicates the text input field that allows you to filter the fields list by typing field names or keywords, making it easy to find specific fields in the configuration table without scrolling.

      • Fields Configuration Table

        You can view and configure the following information for each field.

        • Field Label

          Indicates the name of each field from the data entity.

        • Data Type

          Indicates the data type classification for each field (Attribute for text or categorical data, number for numeric values, or time for date or time values).

        • Enable Cache

          Indicates the toggle switch that controls whether caching is enabled for the individual field.

          • When enabled (ON/Blue): The field's data is cached for improved performance.

          • When disabled (OFF/Gray): The field's data is retrieved fresh from the database each time.

        • Schedule Refresh

          Indicates the radio button that allows you to enable automatic scheduled refresh for the field's cached data at predetermined intervals.

        • Manual Refresh

          Indicates the circular refresh icon that allows you to manually refresh the cached data for the field on demand. Click this icon to immediately retrieve fresh data from the database and update the cache for that specific field.

   4. Global Settings

      Indicates the section where you can configure business view-wide settings and preferences that apply to the entire business view. This includes general configuration options such as permissions, default behaviors, display settings, and other parameters that affect how the business view functions overall. These settings apply globally rather than to individual fields or entities.

      

      • Time Bar Settings

        Indicates the section for configuring time-related display and functionality settings for the business view.

        • Settings Affecting New Visuals Only: Indicates the subsection where settings only apply to new visualizations created after these settings are configured, not to existing visuals.

        • Time Bar: Indicates the setting field with an information icon and toggle control that enables or configures the time bar feature in visualizations. When enabled, it provides a time-based navigation bar in visual reports.

        • Settings Affecting Existing and New Visuals: Indicates the subsection where settings apply to both existing visualizations and any new ones created in the future.

        • Live Mode: Indicates the setting with an information icon and toggle control that determines whether data updates in real-time or requires manual refresh. When enabled, data refreshes automatically in real-time. When disabled, users must manually refresh to see updated data.

        • Prefer Sharpening: Indicates the toggle control that enables or disables image sharpening or visual clarity enhancement in rendered visualizations. When enabled, it applies sharpening filters to improve visual clarity of rendered graphics and charts.

        • Max Queries: Indicates the slider control that sets the maximum number of simultaneous queries that can be executed for this business view. The slider ranges from 2 to 20, with increments displayed (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20). The current value is shown in a circle on the slider. This setting limits concurrent database queries to manage system performance and prevent overload. Higher values allow more simultaneous queries but consume more resources.

      • Other Settings

        Indicates the section for configuring miscellaneous settings including map providers, API authentication, display formats, and calendar systems.

        • Settings Affecting New Visuals Only: Indicates that the following settings only apply to new visualizations created after configuration.
        • Tile Provider: Indicates the dropdown field where you select which map tile provider to use for geographic or map-based visualizations in the business view. Options include various mapping services such as OpenStreetMap, Google Maps, Mapbox, or N/A for no mapping functionality. Select a provider when your business view includes map visualizations, or select N/A if no mapping functionality is needed.
        • API Key: Indicates the text input field where you enter the authentication key required to access certain tile providers or external services. This provides authentication credentials for accessing paid or restricted mapping services or APIs, and is required when using commercial tile providers like Google Maps or Mapbox.
        • Country Format: Indicates the dropdown field where you select how country names are displayed in visualizations and data. Options typically include Long Name (full country names such as "United States of America"), Short Name (abbreviated names such as "USA"), or ISO Code (international standard codes such as "US"). This standardizes how country information appears throughout the business view for consistency.
        • Settings Affecting Existing and New Visuals: Indicates that the following settings apply to both existing and future visualizations.
        • Alternative Calendars Settings: Indicates the section for configuring non-standard calendar systems such as fiscal calendars, custom business calendars, or lunar calendars. The status message "No alternative calendars defined" indicates that no custom calendar systems have been configured. This allows configuration of custom calendar systems for businesses that don't follow the standard Gregorian calendar year, and is useful for companies with fiscal years that don't align with calendar years (such as April to March fiscal year).

      • Global Filters

        Settings Affecting New Visuals Only: Indicates that filter settings apply to new visualizations.

        Add Filter: Indicates the button that allows you to create a new global filter. Click this to add filtering criteria that will restrict or focus the data displayed based on specific conditions (such as date ranges, specific categories, or value thresholds).

        Filter Buttons

        • All: Indicates the filter button that displays all available fields regardless of data type. This button appears highlighted in blue when selected, showing that all field types are currently visible.

        • ABC: Indicates the filter button that displays only attribute type fields (text and categorical data). Click this to show only fields containing text values, categories, or descriptive information.

        • 1.23: Indicates the filter button that displays only number type fields (numeric values). Click this to show only fields containing numeric data that can be used in calculations.

        • Calendar Icon (): Indicates the filter button that displays only time/date type fields. Click this to show only fields containing date, time, or timestamp values.

      Nest Filters

      1. Click Expand icon to add filter conditions. A popup is displayed.

      2. OR Dropdown: Indicates the dropdown menu that allows you to select the logical operator that connects multiple filter conditions.

         Available operators typically include:

         • OR: Results include records that match ANY of the filter conditions.

         • AND: Results include only records that match ALL filter conditions.

      3. In the Add Filter section, drag and drop the filters you have already added.

      4. Ellipsis Menu (⋯): Indicates the three-dot menu button that provides options to add new filters, create nested filter groups, and delete existing nested filter groups.