Creating prompting queries

If you query for similar sets of information, set up a prompting query rather than constructing a query and saving multiple versions of it.

About this task

You probably have an existing query that you want to convert to a prompting query. It is easy to convert a query to one that prompts. Or if you want to create one from scratch first, see Creating queries, and then start this procedure.

As a prompting query requires a response from you, it cannot be set to immediately run or be your part of your home page.

Procedure

To create prompting queries:

  1. Open an existing query, and then select Save As Prompting Query.

    The Save As Prompting Query - Add Placeholders dialog box opens. Use the dialog box to specify what you want to query for by adding a placeholder, rather than a value.

  2. In the query string, substitute placeholders for values.

    For more details, see Using prompting queries.

  3. Click Next to open the Save As Prompting Query - Customize Placeholders dialog box.
  4. Select the type or attribute to be used in the query. Select one of the Types to customize the values for which you are prompting. Select one of the Attributes to use values matching the attribute type and label.

    To specify a type, go to 5. To specify an attribute, go to step 6. You can use a combination of both in your prompting query.

  5. Select the appropriate Types value from the list. The type selected determines the input field used in the prompting template.

    String shows a text input box, Date shows an input box plus a calendar icon, and Listbox shows a list.

    • For a String or Date value, type the Label to be displayed, and then click Next.

      If you have no other placeholders, skip to step 7.

    • For a Listbox value, complete the substeps.
      1. Click Edit Values. The Edit Values for Placeholder %n dialog box opens.
      2. Type an entry in the field, and then click Add. Repeat until your list is complete. You can order or delete entries by using Up, Down, and Delete.
      3. Click OK.
      4. Type a label for the field.
      5. Add other types, as required. To add attributes, go to step 6. Or click Next, and skip to step 7.
  6. Select the appropriate attribute from the list.

    When you select an attribute, your query prompt shows the current values for that attribute. The Type and Label fields are automatically completed for you. You can override the label field when you have multiple prompts in the prompting query.

    • For any attribute value, complete the substeps.
      1. Select the attribute, and then change the label as required.
      2. To add or remove placeholders, click Back and repeat step 5 or step 6 for the remaining placeholders. Click Next when you are finished.
  7. In the Save As dialog box, type the name and description of the prompting query you created.
  8. In the Folder list, save it in the appropriate folder, as appropriate.
  9. Click OK.
  10. To check your query, select it from the appropriate folder. Set the values of the input fields, and then select a format and click Run. Click Edit to modify the query.

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