Cognos Interview Questions and Answers
1. How do you create a vibrant column name for yourself in Cognos?
To create a vibrant column name for yourself in Cognos, you can:
a) add any data item to your query; that is the query onto which you have based your report
b) define the expression which you intend to use for the vibrant column label
c) click the column label from your report page
d) look for the ‘column label’ from the properties pane; your default would normally be: ‘data item label/name’, which you will need to change for: ‘data item value’
e) change your ‘data item’ property so that it has the data item which you created for your column label, in your above pane.
2. What is the meaning of Junk Dimension?
“Junk” dimension is the collection of several random codes, text attributes and/or flags which are not related to any specific dimension. It is just a structure which provides you a suitable place for storing junk attributes. To quote a good example, it would be the trade fact for an organization which helps to broker equity trades for its clients. This fact would hence contain many metrics, such as the commission margin value, price of each share, net amount, principal amount, etc. this would again be related to a number of dimensions like rep office exchange, account date, etc.
Additionally, the fact would contain a number of flags and codes that are related to the actual transaction, instead of any dimensions, like the origin code, which is indicative of whether this trade was set off through the Web or by a phone call; the reinvest flag, which is indicative of the fact that whether this trade has resulted from reinvestment of the payout of some dividend; and also serves as the comment field to store special instructions of a client. Three of these attributes are usually removed off the fact table and then put away in the junk dimension, which is hence probably also referred to as trade dimension. As such, the number of total indexes of the fact table is reduced, and other than convenience of use, it considerably improves the performance.
3. What are the main differences between Drill-thru and Cascading Reports? Why does one go for the Drill-thru Report?
We use the Drill-thru Report for linking the master and detail reports. Upon having put up a Drill-thru Report, if you choose to click a link, such as Order ID# 123, etc., in your Master Report, you will find details related to that specific item (Order ID# 123, etc.) displayed.
Cascading on the other hand makes use of values from previous prompts in order to filter all such values in your current prompt. You will not need two reports for cascading. With a report which has two columns that are related, for example States and Country, then you can cascade both these columns simply by adding two prompts for values.
If you decide to choose a country, let us say ‘India’ for instance, then in your following prompt all states that are under ‘India’ will be accordingly displayed. If you wish to look at details for say the State of Tamilnadu, simply select the letters ‘TN’ from your list and all relevant details for the selected letters will then be accordingly displayed.
4. How many Cubes can you create on one Model? And how would you navigate through these Cubes?
You can readily create as many Cubes on one Model as it will support. Besides, you can also navigate through these Cubes by making use of CubeGroup which it contains.
5. How would you perform a Single Sign-on on the ReportNet while using URL?
Cognos configuration does not permit anonymous access under false authentication. In CGI-Bin properties, in the IIS system, also does not permit anonymous access under false authentication.
6. Can you provide a legend border in any charts (e.g. Line Charts) in the Report Studio?
You can provide a legend border in a chart for chatting by first selecting ‘Chat’ and then selecting ‘Properties’. This will set up a box where you can type your chat messages.
7. What is a Catalog? What are Catalog types are there in Cognos? And which are the best?
Cognos Catalogs are files that contain information, or Database Tables, which impromptu users require for creating their reports. These can be:
- secured
- shared
- distributed
- personal
Among these, a Shared Catalog is normally the one more preferred.
8. How are reports scheduled in Cognos?
a) In your Cognos connection, proceed to My Folders or Public Folders and then click on the ‘Schedule’ button to get the desired report scheduled.
b) Under ‘Frequency’, choose how frequently you would like to run your schedule.
c) Under ‘Start’, choose the time and date you would want your schedule to commence.
d) Under ‘End’, choose the time and date you would want your schedule to end.
e) Under ‘Formats’, you can click on the format that you would like to run your output on.
f) Under ‘Languages’, choose the language you would like to set as your preferred choice.
g) Under ‘Delivery’, you can choose from among the delivery methods offered.
h) Under ‘Prompt Values’, choose the prompt indicating the Values Checkbox, if you desire it to prompt you.
i) finally, click the ‘OK’ button to save your selection.
9. How can reports be tested in Cognos?
You can test reports by validating the ReportNet option in Cognos. When you receive a message: ‘Report specification is valid’, it will imply that there is no error. If not, it will specify the error.
10. What are the problems that you can generally face at the time of running a report?
Some of the more common problems that can generally be faced at the time of running a report include:
a) No data will appear in your report. In order to remove it, check your data or package source.
b) Incorrect or unexpected values will appear in your reports, especially when your report runs with insufficient or limited data.
c) Your report filter may fail to work, resulting in failure of values coming in your filter option.
d) Your report unable to open in XML, CVS, or Excel.