The Parameter Panel lets users interactively format and filter report data by changing parameter values. It's located within the Preview Panel.
In the Create New Parameter and Edit Parameter dialog boxes, you can specify parameters to display on the Parameter Panel using the Show on (Viewer) Panel option.
You can choose one of several settings:
- Do not show
- The parameter isn't visible on the panel. Users must refresh the report to change the parameter values.
- Editable
Users can view and change the parameter values on the panel.
- Read only
Users can view the parameter values on the panel, but can't change them.
The Parameter Panel displays all parameters that have been set to Editable or Read only. Depending on the type of parameter, users can add, delete, or modify parameter values. The following are some of the more commonly used types of parameters:
Parameters with ranged values
Dynamic parameters that use cascading prompts
On the Parameter Panel, data parameters are differentiated from non-data parameters with a database icon. When a user modifies the value of a data parameter, the report refreshes and accesses the database to make the corresponding changes. When a user modifies the value of a non-data parameter, the report is formatted or filtered based on saved data within the report. It doesn't access the database.
Watch this video to see the benefits of using the Preview Panel to manipulate parameters.