Building Advanced Matrix Reports with XSL Templates in BI Publisher Word Add-On

Introduction:

Oracle BI Publisher offers various template options for report generation, including XSL, Excel, and RTF templates. While each template type has its strengths, the RTF template falls short when it comes to developing advanced level matrix reports. To overcome these limitations, the XSL template supplies a powerful solution. In this article, we will explore how to build XSL templates easily and efficiently using the BI Publisher Word Add-On and discuss the advantages of XSL templates for creating advanced matrix reports.

Overcoming Limitations with XSL Templates:

RTF templates, when used with the pivot table add-on, have limitations in developing advanced level matrix reports. These limitations include the inability to manage multiple values at the same row or column level or sort based on different values. Additionally, the RTF template is restricted to a maximum of 64 columns in a table, necessitating the use of multiple tables as a workaround. XSL templates, on the other hand, can overcome these limitations while offering advanced features.

Building XSL Templates with BI Publisher Word Add-On,

To build XSL templates efficiently, you can follow these steps using the BI Publisher Word Add-On:

• Create the base RTF template: Design the RTF template with the required data fields and their formatting.
• Export as XSL-FO stylesheet: From the "Tools" menu, select "Export" and choose the "XSL-FO stylesheet" option.
• Save the exported file with the .xsl extension.

Tips for Building Advanced Matrix Reports:

To build advanced matrix reports using XSL templates, consider the following tips:

• Create a basic template using Pivot Table:Develop a template for a single column or row, including required formatting.

• Generated Template

• Validate the tag for auto populated field “Person Number”

• Insert additional columns or rows: Add the necessary columns at the row level or the required rows at the column level.

• Apply the desired formatting, such as number, date, or header formatting.
• Update the xml tag for newly added columns in sequence: Such as for Employe Number “H1”, Department “H2” and so on

• Export as XSL-FO stylesheet: Export the template as an XSL-FO stylesheet following the previous steps.

Modify the XSL template for advanced matrix:

• ?Open the XSL template and locate the cross table under the "fo:flow" element: To add multiple columns at the column level, find "<C0>" and navigate to the required column (e.g., "<C1>").

To add multiple columns at the row level, find "<R0>" and navigate to the required row (e.g., "<R1>").

Duplicate the required header tag: ?(e.g., "<H><xsl:value-of select="(current-group()/PERSON_ID)[1]"/></H>") and modify it accordingly.

• Verify and Update the table structure under "fo:table-body", "fo:table-row" (data row), and "fo:table-cell" elements.

Conclusion:

XSL templates offer a versatile solution for building advanced matrix reports in Oracle BI Publisher. By using the BI Publisher Word Add-On, users can create XSL templates efficiently and overcome the limitations associated with RTF templates. By following the provided steps and tips, users can harness the power of XSL templates to develop complex reports with multiple columns or rows at the same level. The flexibility and advanced offerings of XSL templates make them a preferred choice for users seeking to create sophisticated matrix reports in BI Publisher.