Cognos8 Business IntelligenceTRANSFORMERUSER GUIDEProduct InformationThis document applies to Cognos8 Version 8.3 and may also apply to subsequent releases. To check for newer versions of this document, visit the Cognos Global Customer Services Web site (http:/support.cognos.com).CopyrightCopyright 2007 Cognos Incorporated. Portions of Cognos software products are protected by one or more of the following U.S. Patents: 6,609,123 B1; 6,611,838 B1; 6,662,188 B1; 6,728,697 B2; 6,741,982 B2; 6,763,520 B1; 6,768,995 B2; 6,782,378 B2; 6,847,973 B2; 6,907,428 B2; 6,853,375 B2; 6,986,135 B2; 6,995,768 B2; 7,062,479 B2; 7,072,822 B2; 7,111,007 B2; 7,130,822 B1; 7,155,398 B2; 7,171,425 B2; 7,185,016 B1;7,213,199 B2. Cognos and the Cognos logo are trademarks of Cognos Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. All other names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information in this document is accurate and complete, some typographical errors or technical inaccuracies may exist. Cognos does not accept responsibility for any kind of loss resulting from the use of information contained in this document. This document shows the publication date. The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Any improvements or changes to either the product or the document will be documented in subsequent editions. U.S. Government Restricted Rights. The software and accompanying materials are provided with Restricted Rights. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to the restrictions in subparagraph (C)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013, or subparagraphs (C)(1) and (2) of the Commercial Computer Software - Restricted Rights at 48CFR52.227-19, as applicable. The Contractor is Cognos Corporation, 15 Wayside Road, Burlington, MA 01803. This software/documentation contains proprietary information of Cognos Incorporated. All rights are reserved. Reverse engineering of this software is prohibited. No part of this software/documentation may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means, or translated into another language without the prior written consent of Cognos Incorporated.Table of ContentsIntroduction11Chapter 1: Whats New?15New Features in Version 8.3 15 Transformer 8.3 on All Cognos 8.3 Business Intelligence Supported Platforms 15 Transformer 8.3 Installation Download 15 Integration with Cognos 8.3 Business Intelligence Security 15 Upgrade User Class Views to Transformer 8.3 Custom Views 16 Support for Multiple Namespaces 16 Integration with Cognos 8 Version 8.3 Business Intelligence Data Sources 16 Using OLAP Packages 17 Unicode Support 17 Series 7 IQD Bridge 17 Composite Source Packages 18 Publishing Integration with Cognos Connection 18 Cube Update Utility 18 Changed Features in Version 8.3 18 Enabling Multi-processing 18 Cognos 8 Configuration Manager 19 Cognos 8 Installation Location 19 One Version of Transformer 19 Transformer 8.3 Online Help 19 Deprecated Features in Version 8.3 20 .pyi Files 20 Data Source Types 20 Client/Server Functionality 20 OLE Automation 20 Customized Menu Options 21 Compressed PowerCubes 21 Cognos 8 Transformer Expression Editor Functions 21Chapter 2: Planning Your Model23Dimensional Modeling Workflow 23 Analyzing Your Requirements and Source Data 24 Recommendation - Presort, Clean, or Consolidate Your Data 25 Building a Prototype 26 Refining Your Model 28 Recommendation - Diagnose and Resolve Any Design Problems 30 Upgrade a Series 7 Model 32Chapter 3: Data Sources for Your Model35Techniques for Designing Data Sources 35 Data Source Types 36 Cognos Package or Report 36User Guide 3Impromptu Query Definition File 38 Delimited-field Text with Column Titles 38 Delimited-field Text 38 Access Table 39 Access Query 39 Excel crosstab 39 Excel Database 39 PowerHouse Portable Subfile 39 Fixed-field Text 40 Fixed Field and Record Without CR LF 40 Data Source Limitations 40 Cognos 8 Package or Report Data Source Limitations 40 IQD Data Source Limitations 41 Series 7 Security 42 Designing Successful Cognos 8 PowerCubes 42 Conformed Dimensions 42 Cognos 8 Business Keys 42 Member Unique Names 43 Recommendation - Resolve Uniqueness Problems in Your Data Source 44 Create a Model 45 Edit Existing Prompts in Cognos 8 Reports and Packages 49 Generate a File of Prompt Values for Use in the Command Line 50 Change a Data Source Type 51 Create Dimensions from the Dimension Map Using OLAP and DMR Packages 52 Add a Data Source to an Existing Model 53 Add Additional Queries to Existing Cognos 8 Data Sources 55 Synchronize Columns with Your Data Source 56 Connecting to an IQD Data Source 56 Isolation Levels for an IQD Data Source 57 Modify the SQL Query in an IQD Data Source 58 Character Sets Used with Delimited Text Data Sources 59 Named Ranges 59 Example -