m-Power Data Explorer

 
What is it?
The m-Power Data Explorer is a web-based reporting feature that allows end-users to create their own reports in an easy-to-use interface. End-users access their data based on previously created "Data sets" and have the ability to control numerous aspects of their report including:

• · Format of Data, including Data Search, Data Search with Totals, Pivot Table, and Graphing Visualization
• · Ability to export data to Excel
• · Control of which columns are selected as well as their order
• · Ability to Filter data
• · Ability to add calculations
• · Options to save and share custom designs
• · Exporting to Dashboards
• · And much more…

Learn more about this feature with this short walk-through:

Key Terms

To help you better understand the features within this application, each key term will be introduced below, followed by a brief description and a relevant screenshot. The image below illustrates what the Data Explorer looks like when it first loads. To begin, you will either need to choose an available dataset or load a previously saved design.

Available Datasets – A pre-defined list of columns that an m-Power developer has created for you. Selecting one will reset any existing work you’ve done in the Data Explorer so be sure to save before picking a new one.

Load from Saved Design– Allows you to continue with a dataset that you’ve previously customized and saved. This screen allows you to see all of your saved as well as any ones that were marked as public. Optionally, you can delete any of your saved designs here.

Display – 4 different choices of how you would like your data displayed.

• · Data Search – View information 10 rows at a time (customizable). This option outputs to Excel. Ideal for finding individual data.
• · Data Search with Totals– Great for calculating sub-total and grand total information. Also outputs to Excel. Use the Dimensions tab to control how you would like your data sub-totaled.
• · Pivot Table – Designed to allow you to drill down into your data. Available to output to Excel. Use the Dimensions tab to specify how you would like to design your Pivot
• · Visualization – Choose one of several chart types available. Utilize the Dimensions tab if you would like to graph data at a subtotal level.

Columns – This screen lets you choose which columns you wish to include in your design. After selecting it, you can further customize it by changing its description, hiding it, or changing the format of the output by clicking the green “Edit” button.
You also can reorder any of your selected columns by simply dragging and dropping them within your output.

Dimensions – Not available within “Data Search” display. Dimensions allow you to specify how a dataset should subtotal results. When working with a Pivot display, you can drag and drop available dimensions into either column or row dimensions.
If you would like to see other dimension available at run-time, please contact the author of your Dataset so s/he can add it for you.

Filters – This section allows you to filter data within your design. All columns are available for filtering, even those you didn’t select within the “Columns” section. Be sure to select a “Relationship” when adding a new Filter.

Period Analysis – When a true date field is selected as a filter, specific date related relationships become available. You are able to quickly filter records for today, yesterday, this week, etc. Additionally, you are able to compare this date filtered data to another date related relationship: previous period, previous year, or a custom date selection.

Previous period is directly related to the first/current selection. For example; if 'today' is selected, previous period would pull from yesterday's date. If 'yesterday' is selected, previous period would pull the day before yesterday's date. If 'this week' is selected, previous period would pull the previous week's dates.

Once a comparison is selected, any numeric column selected will be split into 'Current' and 'Previous' columns with the appropriate data in the respective column.

Note, fiscal dates are determined from the 'fiscal_month' setting in the mrcjava/WEB-INF/classes/mrc_runtime.properties file found on the m-Power server (i.e. fiscal_month=5).

Calcs – Allows you to create your own columns based on equations you specify at runtime. To do so, add a Description. This will serve as the column heading. To enter the expression, select a column from the dropdown list. Only columns you’ve selected within this design will be available. Feel free to use the on-screen buttons to create your expression.

If you desire to have a more complicated equation, the Data Explorer supports IF, AND, and OR statements. The logic is modeled after similar functionality within Microsoft Excel.

For Example, review the following equation.
IF(AND(${SALES01}>=${SALES02}, ${SALES03}<${SALES04}),’Approved’,’Denied’) Here I have created an IF statement with two conditions. If Sales01 is greater than Sales02 and Sales03 less than Sales04, then print the message Approved. If not, print the message Denied.

Save this Design – This allows you to Save your work on your design to revisit later. You can choose to mark your work public so others can view your design.
Note: Only users who have authority to access the underlying Data View will have access to your design.

Share this Design – Allows you to get a direct link to your Saved design, which enables you to share with others.
Note: Only users who have authority to access the underlying Data View will have access to your design.

Dashboards – Only Visualization Display types are available to be included on the Data Explorer Dashboard. If you have not already, within the Dashboard tab, click the "Create New Dashboard" button. This will create an empty dashboard container. Give this a Title and Description and press "Save." Once saved, click the "+ Add" icon in the left panel. Next, a window will pop-up of a blank dashboard. Click one of the available panels to load the existing design into. Feel free to add additional Visualization designs into this dashboard in a similar manner. When completed, click the "Options" button and select "Share Dashboard" to send this Dashboard to other users.

Other notes:

• · Clicking on the current tab will collapse the designer frame and allow you to see more of your design.
• · Similarly, if you click on the triple line icon in the top left, the entire designer frame will be hidden, maximizing the view of your data.
• · You can click on any column heading to change the sort order. You can only sort on one column at a time.
• · Drag and Drop columns to change the column order.
• · Where applicable, click the “Display” tab to access a “Save as Excel” button
• · Clear your design by clicking on the dataset icon and confirming you’d like to reset your work.
• · You must save your design before adding it to a dashboard.