Open Dialog Box

Using the Open Dialog Box as a Multitask Interface

About the Open Dialog Box

The Open dialog box enables you to search for and open saved reports, stored processes, information maps, tables, and cubes. For more information about searching for reports, see View a Saved Report.
However, the Open dialog box also enables you to create new folders and perform many other tasks on selected reports and folders.
Note: You must be assigned the applicable capabilities to copy, move, or delete multiple reports or folders or to open data sources. If you have questions about capabilities, contact your system administrator.
Open Dialog Box
Open Dialog Box

Searching Using the Open Dialog Box

You can search for reports, stored processes, information maps, tables, or cubes using the Open dialog box.
Note: There is also a Search for files section available in the File Management window, as shown in File Management Window with the Search for Files Section Expanded.
Open Dialog Box with the Search for Files Section Expanded
Open Dialog Box with the Search for Files Section Expanded
To search for files, complete these steps:
  1. If the Search for files section is not visible in the Open dialog box, click expand pane icon.
  2. In the Search for field, type the text for which you want to search. For searching tips, see Searching for Reports and Stored Processes.
  3. In the Search what drop-down list, choose whether you want to search for the text in the Name, Description, or Keywords field.
    Note: You cannot search the content of a report or a stored process.
  4. In the Search where drop-down list, select a folder name.
  5. (Optional) To also search for reports in folders that are contained in the folder that you are searching, select Search subfolders.
  6. (Optional) To limit your search by time, select Search for Files Modified in the Date/time limits drop-down list. Specify the time frame by using the fields that are below the drop-down list.
  7. Click Search. Any reports or stored processes that match your criteria are shown.
    Note: After a search, the report list also includes Path information for each located report. To clear the search results, select an option in the Location drop-down list.
The following topics contain additional information about searching:

Navigating Locations Using the Open Dialog Box

The Open dialog box enables you to navigate to find the information map, report, table, cube, or stored process that you need. For example, you might need to navigate through multiple folders to find a report. Click down arrow icon for the Location to see where the current folder is located in the tree structure.
Click up one level icon to move up a folder level. In the following example, you are looking at the items in the Orion Star Sports folder after you have moved up one level.
Open Dialog Box Showing Current Location
Open Dialog Box Showing Current Location

Working with Folders in the Open Dialog Box

You can work with folders in the Open dialog box. The icons for folders are located to the right of the Location drop-down list, as shown in Open Dialog Box Showing Current Location.
Button
Action
up one level icon
moves up one level
new folder icon
creates a new folder
refresh icon
refreshes the items in the current location
You can also create a new folder when you copy a report, move a report, or save a report. For more information about folders and shared locations, see Overview of Shared Locations.

Using the Actions Menu in the Open Dialog Box

To open the Actions menu, click actions icon. The menu lists only those options that you are authorized to perform. For example, in the folders shown here, the actions are Delete and Rename.
Actions Menu for Folders in the Open Dialog Box
Actions Menu for Folders in the Open Dialog Box
Different actions are available for reports. The menu lists only those options that you are authorized to perform.
The following display shows some of the actions that might appear for reports.
Actions Menu for Reports in the Open Dialog Box
Actions Menu for Reports in the Open Dialog Box
The Edit, Copy, Delete, and Move options are also available from the File Management window.
When you are working with data sources (either information maps, tables, or cubes) in the Open dialog box, the available actions are different from the ones available for reports.
The following display shows an action that might appear for an information map.
Actions Menu for Information Maps in the Open Dialog Box
Actions Menu for Information Maps in the Open Dialog Box
Depending on your capabilities, you might be able to edit a table or cube from the Open dialog box.
The following display shows an action that might appear for a table.
Actions Menu for Tables in the Open Dialog Box
Actions Menu for Tables in the Open Dialog Box

Summary: Four Ways to Access the Open Dialog Box

There are four ways to access the Open dialog box:
  • Click open icon on the toolbar.
  • Click Open in the Welcome window.
  • Click More Reports in the Welcome window.
  • Select Filethen selectOpen in the Welcome window or in Edit or View mode to display the Open dialog box.