Cognos Analytics

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  • 1.  "Lookup Reference" property disabled (grayed out)

    Posted Wed November 09, 2022 09:45 AM
    In data module (1), I added package (2) as a data source. For that package and its columns, properties are disabled (3). I am specifically interested in "Lookup Reference" property because I want to create "Calendar" table for relative time filters.
    If I upload some CSV or Excel file, and I add it to data module, then properties of that file are enabled.

    Version of Cognos is 11.2.2.
    I have admin rights, although I am not really proficient in Cognos administration.
    This package is from SQL server, relational database.
    I don't have access to framework manager. My communication with external consultant who maintain our Cognos is limited and hard.
    When I look in properties of this package, it says "Full" in General > Advanced > Permissions, so I guess that I have full permissions on the package.
    Does anyone know how to enable these properties?
    Package has properties for its columns disabled, when that package is placed inside data module.


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    Milan Milovanovic
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    #CognosAnalyticswithWatson


  • 2.  RE: "Lookup Reference" property disabled (grayed out)

    Posted Wed November 09, 2022 10:08 AM
    I got information why is this happening.

    It is because our Cognos model is made in Compatible mode, but it should be made in Dynamic mode for properties to be enabled.
    I don't know what Compatible and Dynamic means, but now I know that this is something I can not change.



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    Milan Milovanovic
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  • 3.  RE: "Lookup Reference" property disabled (grayed out)

    IBM Champion
    Posted Wed November 09, 2022 04:23 PM

    Hi,

    There are two query engines in Cognos Analytics currently - the old Compatible Query Engine, and the much newer Dynamic Query. Compatible Query has its roots in the Universal Data Access (UDA) layer that used to sit underneath the old Cognos Impromptu and PowerPlay products, which in turn was developed out of the really old Data Management Services (DMS) layer which underpinned Cognos PowerHouse. Compatible Query is a 32-bit query engine, written in C++. It runs outside of the java servlet containers that you see in the Cognos Analytics architecture, and uses older client connection technologies like database native client libraries and ODBC to connect to data sources. Dynamic Query is the newer query engine, written in java, 64-bit, and which supports more modern data sources and ways to connect, such as jdbc. It offers much enhanced query planning and optimization, and is where IBM is investing resources to add new data connections.

    It doesn't really help you get any further forward in this particular issue, sadly, but at least you now have an understanding of what they mean.

    Cheers!

    MF.



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    Mark Fry
    Technical Consultant
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  • 4.  RE: "Lookup Reference" property disabled (grayed out)

    Posted Fri November 11, 2022 04:09 AM

    I will start lobbying for my company to try to move our data to a newer model.
    Thank you for the explanation, Mark Fry. I will use your explanation to make my case to my superiors. 

    This also solves one more thing that was bugging me. I was not able to use several packages in one report. It cannot be done in Compatible model.

     



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    Milan Milovanovic
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  • 5.  RE: "Lookup Reference" property disabled (grayed out)
    Best Answer

    IBM Champion
    Posted Fri November 11, 2022 10:45 AM
    Hi, Sorry for intervening but I believe the reason is different. I'm not 100% sure but I don't think you can use a Compatible Query Mode package as a data source in a data module (see: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/cognos-analytics/11.2.0?topic=sources-packages). So I assume you're already using a Dynamic Query Mode package as a data source. The reason why you can't add a Lookup Reference should rather be that the access to a package is in (green colored) read-only mode (compare: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/cognos-analytics/11.2.0?topic=analysis-creating-data-module-relative-date). You can't "break the link" in your case but should be able to create a table view from the package. To do so you can right click on the most upper green icon of your screenshot and select table (view). For such a table view you have access to all properties including Lookup Reference. But be careful: All the links to other tables get lost and need to be recreated in the data module.

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    Philipp Hornung
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  • 6.  RE: "Lookup Reference" property disabled (grayed out)

    Posted Fri November 11, 2022 11:00 AM

    I think there's been a miscommunication and, subsequently, you are under the impression that the FM package's query mode is relevant.  It is not.   

    FM packages imported into a data module are read-only references.  The greenish colour of the icons is meant to convey that meaning to users.  Because the package is a read-only, none of the properties are editable, which you have discovered. 

    If you wish to you will need to create views in the data module of the query subjects of the FM package which you wish to use in the data module.  You do this by either selecting the module root node in the module tree or selecting the FM package and  choosing table from the context menu.  You would need to create relationships between these views.  



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    IAN HENDERSON
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  • 7.  RE: "Lookup Reference" property disabled (grayed out)

    Posted Sat November 12, 2022 04:11 AM

    It seems that it is possible to use Compatible Package in a Module. In the properties of the package we can see that the package is in Compatible mode (1). I created a module with that package (2). I can use that module to create a report (3) or dashboard (4).

    Compatible Package in Module

    The image (5) bellow is from the internet. It shows "Break link" option. My Cognos doesn't have that option (6). Probably because it can be hidden, as explained here:
    Break links in linked data modules

    Break Package Link

    As for my problem, Philipp and Ian, you are right. Problem is that the package is read only.
    Creating a data module for relative date analysis
    After I created Table View (7), all the properties are now available (8).Table View Lookup ReferenceI am glad we resolve this. Fry, Philipp, Ian, thank you for your help.
    For performance reasons, I will still try to convince my superiors to try to convert the model to dynamic mode.



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    Milan Milovanovic
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