Embedded report parameters

Hello, 
 
I used this example to integrate the parameters into the report 
<a class='bbc_url' href='http://www.birt-exchange.com/modules/wfdownloads/singlefile.php?cid=2&lid=69'>Periodically Reload BIRT Report - Designs & Code - BIRT Exchange</a> 
 
Currently I have several combo boxes that are used to filter data in the report (they are only visible for HTML output) and it works very well. Unfortunately these combo boxes are static, i.e. the options are hard coded. 
Here is an example 
 
<form name="ParamForm"> 
Scenario: <select name="Scenarios" onchange="reloadPage();"> 
<option value="4" <VALUE-OF>if (params["scenario"].value=="4") {"selected";} else{"";}</VALUE-OF>>Scenario 1</option> 
<OPTION VALUE="1"<VALUE-OF>if (params["scenario"].value=="1") {"selected";} else{"";}</VALUE-OF>>Scenario 2</OPTION> 
</select> 
<script type="text/javascript"> 
function reloadPage() { 
 
var temp = new String(location.href); 
var targetURL = new String(); 
 
if(temp.indexOf("__overwrite=") != -1 ){ 
targetURL = temp.substring(0, temp.indexOf("&__overwrite") -1); 
}else{ 
targetURL = temp; 
} 
 
targetURL += "&__overwrite=true"; 
var select_scenario=document.ParamForm.Scenarios; 
 
targetURL += "&scenario=" + select_scenario.options[select_scenario.selectedIndex].value; 
location.replace(targetURL); 
 
return false; 
} 
 
</script> 
</form> 
 
 
However, what do you think is the best way to populate the combo box from one of the data sets in the report? 
 
Best regards, 
 
SK

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Comments

rmurphy

Hi SK, 
Have you tried placing a hidden table at the top of the report that pulls in the data you want. To capture the data as it is coming in, you could instantiantiate a Collection in the reports initialize method, and add the data to it in the Data Set's fetch event. Then use the data to populate your combo box. 
 
Another option would be to create Java class that would fire from the initialize that could query the database directly from the class to get the data and store it in a persistant global variable. That data could then be used by your combo box. 
 
Finally, in Actuate 10, there is a new JSAPI that allows you to integrate the services of the Actuate BIRT Viewer and Interactive Viewer with virtually any web front end, including BIRT Reports. This can include things such as parameter collection. Here is a good document that describe the JSAPI. 
<a class='bbc_url' href='http://www.birt-exchange.com/devshare/deploying-birt-reports/594-showing-birt-reports-using-the-actuate-jsapi/#description'>Showing BIRT Reports using the Actuate JSAPI - Articles - BIRT Exchange</a> 
 
Rob

skge

Thank you very much, Rob! I looked at Actuate JSAPI, it's very nice. However, it might not be an option for us in the nearest future. The second possibility is pretty much what I was thinking about and what we are going to do at this point. Thanks again!