Friday, August 3, 2012

Reduce file size by downloading a request/analysis to native excel format directly instead of mhtml (OBIEE 11.1.1.6.0)

I faced problem while downloading a request/analysis to native excel in OBIEE 11.1.1.5 and I tried to find solution from Oracle support. Here I saw bug number with the same problem. Oracle Support BugID :12763784
Problem :
The file downloaded is in mhtml format which consumes a lot of space when the
same file is re saved as .xls or .xlsx the size of the file is much lesser.
Customer Requirement:
Customer required to reduce file size by downloading a request to native
excel format directly instead of mhtml.
They can’t open the downloaded excel files because the file size is too
huge(ex.300MB).
My customer is also looking for  true Excel (not in mhtml format).
For this problem/Questions we have solution in OBIEE 11.1.1.6 version.(Not less than OBIEE 11.1.1.5 version)
Steps:
Find the below steps for Excel Export config file modifications.
1. Navigate to the path “<MiddlewareHome>\Oracle_BI1\bifoundation\web\msgdb\messages” and edit the viewscontrolmessages.xml file .
2.Where ever you find Format=mht , change it to Format=excel (Find the attached .doc for reference)
Note : You can also add your own entry for customization so that we will get both existing and customized option while exporting analysis/report/request.
3.Login to OBIEE, go to Administration –> Reload Files and Metadata4.Yes, we will  be able to export with the reports with the .xlsx format with the less disk space .(no need to restart services)
Note : You can also keep the existing(Native export) and add the tag for customized export.
  • Example to Compare Native export and Customized export :
Let’s take Order Details as Example
  1. Order Details Report with Native OBIEE feature:

Export report to excel

Save File

Give name and save it.

Result is

2.Order Details Report with after customization:

Export it to Excel

Save File

Give name and save it.

Result is

Thanks,
Satya Ranki Reddy

10 comments:

  1. Hi Satya

    Would this work on 10g?

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. I followed the steps and does not work. Any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi,

    What version are you using.

    Thanks,
    Satya

    ReplyDelete
  4. The version 11.1.1.6.8.

    Thanks,
    Victor

    ReplyDelete
  5. The comment "(Find the attached. Doc for reference)" referred to?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi,

    We are having below Biz requirement. It would be of great help if you can guide us on this:

    1. There are 2 different reports asked - say A1 and A2 but they want both the report in same excel
    2. they dont want to even log into OBIEE dashboard. they want this report directly mailed to them

    Few more inputs:
    - Currently - we already have OBIEE report mailed directly to them via Go URL and java API. But this is so far being implemented for single report (1 excel and 1 worksheet) but now what they want is - 1 excel and 2 worksheet under it.
    - Now if users are fine to use OBIEE dashboard directly and are fine with executing each report first and then export complete dashboard -> Req1 is taken care of but issue is -> they dont want to even go to OBIEE dashboard.

    Thanks,
    Virat Jhala

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Virat,

    Obiee 11.1.1.7.0 was newly introdued option like entire dashborad we can download single excel.

    Follow the steps.

    1.You have to Configure agent in server.
    2. In agent u can call entire dashboard( excel format).

    Thanks,
    Satya

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Sathya,
    I have a requirement that I am using Link/Image object in the Dashboard. here I am providing the url for the next analysis...but my requirement is can we able to set an EXPORT option in analysis I am using 11.1.1.6 VERSION
    Thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yes, we can please refer below link.

    http://satyaobieesolutions.blogspot.in/2013/05/excel-customize-download-link.html?m=1


    Thanks
    Satya

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank Satya,
    This will update link in dashboard, but my question is I want to enable this link in the report in OBIEE 11g

    ReplyDelete