By default, the report output files are saved in the content store. You have also have the following choices for saving report output files:
You can save a copy in another file location outside of IBM Cognos 8 so that you can share it with external applications or people who don’t have IBM Cognos 8 . This is how most report output files are saved.
You can save a copy in another file location inside IBM Cognos 8 so that it can be used again . This may also be useful for archive purposes, since files that are saved in the Content Store may be deleted regularly due to retention rules. A descriptor file with an _descr extension is also saved. Saved files are not managed by IBM Cognos 8.
Set File Location to Save a Copy of Report Output Outside of IBM Cognos 8
You can specify that an additional copy of report output be saved in a file system outside of IBM Cognos 8. For example, users may want to share a report with an external application, such as a web site, and have it saved there every time it is updated so that current content is always available. Users may also want to save reports on a Local Area Network for people who do not have access to IBM Cognos 8.
In IBM Cognos Connection, if users select Save to the file system as the report delivery method when they run or schedule a report, the files are saved in the specified location each time the report runs.
There are two associated properties in IBM Cognos Configuration that must be set first: one enables saving file output to a file system, the other specifies the root directory for saving files.
You must have the required permissions to access IBM Cognos Administration functionality.
Steps
1. Start IBM Cognos Connection.
2. In the upper-right corner, click Launch, IBM Cognos Administration.
3. On the Configuration tab, click Dispatchers and Services.
4. On the toolbar, click the Define File System Locations button .
5. Click New.
6. Enter a name, description, and screen tip.
7. In File systems location box, type the location where you want to save report output files.
The location that you type is appended to the File system root location.
8. Click Finish.
Set File Location to Save Copy of Report Output in IBM Cognos 8
By default, report output files are saved in the content store. For single-file report outputs, you can also save a copy of the output in a file location in IBM Cognos 8 so that you can use it again. This may also be useful for archive purposes, since files that are saved in the Content Store may be deleted regularly due to retention rules.
The following formats can be saved: PDF, .csv, XML, Excel 2002, and HTML that does not have embedded graphics. You cannot save HTML fragment, XMTML, or Excel 2000 or 2007 single sheet formats.
In IBM Cognos Connection, if users select Save to the file system as the report delivery method when they run or schedule a report, the files are saved in the specified location each time the report runs. The file location applies to saved output originating from the selected Content Manager service.
Report Output Descriptor File
When you save report outputs files to a file system in IBM Cognos 8, a report output descriptor file is also created. The descriptor file is an XML file that contains information about the report output, such as the name, locale, creation time, owner user name and authentication namespace, the associated report search path, burst key information, and the report version contact. The descriptor file takes the same name as the output file, with the suffix _descr added. For example, a saved PDF report with the name 158_1075940415360.pdf has a descriptor file with the name 158_1075940415360_desc.xml.
CM.OutputLocation - The location where you want to store copies of report output files.
Old report versions are not deleted when a new one is saved. You must manage the content of the output directory to keep the report versions you want.
CM.OutputScript - The location and name of a shell script, such as a .bat or .sh file, that runs after a report output is saved to the target directory. The full file names of the output file and descriptor are passed to the script.
CM.OutputByBurstKey - When report output is distributed by bursting, it is assigned a burst key. Specify whether to store output in a subdirectory with the same name as the burst key.
Default: false (output not stored by burst key)
Steps
1. Start IBM Cognos Connection.
2. In the upper-right corner, click Launch, IBM Cognos Administration.
3. On the Status tab, click System.
4. In the upper-left corner of the Scorecard pane, click the arrow to view the Change view menu. Click Services, and then click Content Manager.
5. Click the arrow next to ContentManagerService to display the Actions menu, and then click Set properties.
6. Click the Settings tab.
7. Click Edit next to Advanced Settings.
8. Select Override the settings acquired from the parent entry.
9. In the Parameter column, enter the parameter name.
For example, enter CM.OutPutLocation.
10. In the Value column, enter the associated value for the setting.
11. Continue entering setting names and values as required.
12. Click OK.
13. On the Set properties page, click OK.