From the Add Block window, you can create content blocks.
The following are the types of content
blocks you can create:
-
Launch
blocks. Can contain only one item. When Dashboard opens, the
item automatically launches.
-
List blocks. Can
contain many items from one or more domains. The items can be from
any folder in any domain to which a user has access. Users can run a
report or access an Internet resource by clicking a hyperlink from
the list.
-
Folder
blocks. Lists the entire contents of a folder (including its
subfolders) that have been created in Managed Reporting. Only one
folder can be added to a folder block. When the contents of a Managed
Reporting folder are modified outside of Dashboard, the folder block
in Dashboard automatically updates to reflect any changes. You can add
folders from the published content, private content, and Shared
Content folders. For a public view, administrators can only add
folders from the published content folder.
-
Output
blocks. May or may not contain default content. Reports, charts,
or web pages can be displayed in output blocks. When a report is
run or an Internet resource is accessed, the report output or web
page appears in the output block. This is useful because a new browser
window does not open each time a report or chart is executed, or
a web page is launched from a tree, List, or Folder block. Instead,
the output block refreshes with the new content.
-
Tree blocks. Provides
a way to add a tree to a Public View or Group View page. The tree
is displayed without the sidebar frame.
-
Watch list blocks. Adds
the Report Library Watch List interface to a page. The watch list
block type is available only when the Library tab is selected from
the Add Block page.
-
Favorites blocks. Lists
the reports, charts, hyperlinks, and any other item type (except
Reporting Objects) that you want to quickly and easily access.
Note: Some web sites bring their page to the top of a
frameset when launched and take over the browser session. When these
sites are opened in a launch or output block, Dashboard content
is lost. It is recommended that these types of web sites not be
selected for a launch or output block.
When you add items to a content block, you can use the Content
Search from the Add Block and Edit Block windows. For details, see How to Add Items to a Content Block Using Content Search.
Across the top of the Add Block window is a Content Search button,
and block type option buttons to select either a Launch, List, Folder,
Output, Tree, Watch List, or Favorites block. At the left side of
the window is a tree view of available content. The right side of
the window contains the Content List showing selected items with
up and down arrows to the right, and Remove and Clear buttons at
the bottom.
Below the Content List is a field for
entering the Block Name, and a series of check boxes that are available
to enable the following functionality:
- Deactivate Block
- Lock
Block (available to administrators only)
- Hide Block Toolbar
- Microsoft Office
output options
- Automatic Block Refresh
(available to administrators only)
The following image shows the Add Block
window.
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Procedure: How to Add a Content Block
-
From the
Content window, select the content page in which to add content.
If you need to add content pages, see Creating Content Pages.
-
Click Add
Block.
The Add Block window opens.
-
Select the
desired Block Type option.
-
Expand the domain folders from the
tree by clicking the arrow icon next to the folder icon. You can
also add items to a content block using Content Search. See How to Add Items to a Content Block Using Content Search.
Note:
- If you are creating
an Output block, adding domain items is optional because Output
blocks do not require default output.
- Only one report in
EXL2K PIVOT format can be active at a time. Therefore, it is not recommended
to place output of this format type into a content block. Subsequent attempts
to execute a report in this format will fail, since the original
report will still be active.
-
Select the
items in the folders to populate the Content List.
If you are creating a List block, you can position the
items using the arrows next to the Content List.
-
Accept the
default block name or change the name in the Block Name field.
Note:
- If you name your
content block before you select content, the block name may be overwritten
with the name of the Domain item you select. You can change the
name after selecting content.
- If you create an
empty launch, list, or folder block and enter a block name, when you
click Save, the name is overwritten with Empty Block. This occurs
only with launch, list, and folder blocks. Output blocks retain
the name you enter.
-
Click Save when
you have finished selecting the content for your block.
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Procedure: How to Add Items to a Content Block Using Content Search
-
From the
Add Block or Edit Block window, click Content Search.
-
Enter the
criteria for your search and then click Search.
-
From the
results on the right side of the window, click an item to add it to
your content block.
View your content block to verify the items you have added.
xCreating a Locked Content Block
Administrators can create a content block for a Public
View that cannot be edited or deleted by a user after they create
their personal view.
In a personal view, the Edit option is not available for locked
content blocks. In addition, the option to delete or edit locked
blocks from the Content window is not available. A Dashboard user
cannot remove a page containing a locked block.
The locked block is designated with a lock icon in the View Builder,
Personalize option page, and Manage Users area of Dashboard. Users
receive an error message if they attempt to remove a content page
that contains a locked block.
The Lock Block check box is also available in the Manage Users
area of the View Builder.
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Procedure: How to Create a Locked Content Block
-
From the
Public Views or the Manage Users window, select the Public View
you want to add content to and click Edit Content.
-
From the
Content window, select the content page in which to add content.
-
Click Add
Block.
The Add Block window opens.
-
Select the
block type and contents.
-
Click the Lock
Block check box.
-
Click Save.
xAdding Report Library Content to a Content Block
Dashboard administrators and authorized users can place
Report Library content in a content block using the View Builder
or Personalize option. You can add Report Library content to a launch,
list, output, or watch list block. The latest available version
of the report always appears in the content block.
A tree of Library reports is available for selection when creating
content blocks. The tree consists of the top-level domain or category.
Below the domain or category is the report. In the case of a bursted
report, an intermediate level also appears.
The Report Library has two sets of reports. Dashboard can access
both, the domain for Managed Reporting users and the category for
non-Managed Reporting users.
Note:
- If
you are adding Report Library content from the Manage Users or Group Views
areas in the View Builder, you also need to be a ReportCaster administrator.
- To view Report Library
content, you must have Report Library access.
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From the Content window, you can remove a content block.
Note that you can remove more than one content block at a time.
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Procedure: How to Remove a Content Block
-
From the
Content window, select the content page where the content block
is located.
-
Select the
check box next to each of the block(s) you want to remove.
-
Click Remove.
An alert window appears to confirm the removal.
-
Click OK.