The export/import functionality of the Report Module can be used to save the data of one or more reports and their datasources to a file on disk and load them again at a later time or on a different machine.
Export/import is accessed through the buttons at the top of the screen in the Reports section of the Report Module:
To export one or more reports and their datasources and save them to the hard disk:
- use the check boxes on the left side of the data grid to select the reports you want to export
- the Export to Disk button will be enabled
- click Export to Disk
- choose a location for the .rxp file (depending on your browser settings, the location may be selected automatically and the download may happen immediately)
To import the exported reports and datasources again at a later time or on a different machine:
- click the Import from Disk button
- select the exported .rxp file
- the system will navigate to the Import Wizard
The Import Wizard consists of three tabs:
- the Datasources tab, showing which datasource should be imported, how they should be named and which existing datasources they might overwrite
- the Reports tab, showing which reports should be imported, how they should be named and which existing reports they might overwrite
- the Finish tab, showing an overview of all chosen actions to be performed for the import
On the Datasources tab a grid is shown with 4 columns:
- Original Name: uneditable text field showing the name of the datasource as it was when the datasource was exported to the .rpx file
- Replaced Name: lookup selection box showing an optional name of an existing datasource that will be replaced by the imported datasource
- New Name: editable text field showing the name of the datasource as it will be after the import has taken place
- Action: description of the action that needs to be performed to make the situation as specified in the other columns
The "copy name" buttons in the Original Name and Replaced Name columns can be used to copy either the original name or the replaced name to the New Name column:
The "clear name" button in the New Name column can be used to clear the New Name field. This will change the Action to "Do not import datasource" and leave the datasource ignored in the rest of the process.
The Replaced Name lookup selection box will offer selection of any of the names of the existing datasources in the system:
Selecting a name in this lookup will cause the import of the datasource to overwrite the existing datasource by the selected name. This will be reflected by the text in the Action column:
The "Clear" button can be used to clear the Replaced Name column, meaning that the import will create a new datasource without replacing an existing datasource.
The Replaced Name lookup selection box may display the tag "(same origin)" with an existing datasource, signifying that this datasource has a unique identifier that matches that of the datasource that is being imported. Since this identifier is unique and is assigned when the datasource is created, this means that the two datasources were both based on one datasource that was newly created in the past and are likely different versions of this datasource.
The Action column shows the action to be performed to satisfy all the choices the user has made in the other columns. The following Actions are possible:
| Action | Condition | Explanation | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do not import object | New Name is empty | Does not import the object ignores it in the rest of the process | |
| Import object without conflicts | Replaced Name is empty no existing object with matching origin | Leaves object's origin GUID the same does not replace an existing object | |
| Replace object with same origin | Replaced Name has object with matching origin | Leaves object's origin identifier the same replaces an existing object with the same origin GUID | data from another version of the object may be erased |
| Split off object from origin | Replaced Name is empty an existing object has matching origin | Assigns a new origin GUID does not replace an existing object | object can no longer be associated with other versions |
| Replace object with different origin | Replaced Name has object with different origin, no existing object with matching origin | Leaves object's origin GUID the same replaces an existing object with a different origin GUID | data from an unrelated object may be erased |
Replace object with different origin. Split off object from origin. | Replaced Name has object with different origin, an existing object has matching origin | Assigns a new origin GUID replaces an existing object with a different origin GUID | data from an unrelated object may be erased object can no longer be associated with other versions |
The Reports tab of the Import Wizard shows exactly the same grid as the one in the Datasources tab, except applying to the Reports that were stored in the .rpx file.
One scenario unique to reports that may occur is that the datasource that a report depends on was previously chosen not to be imported, meaning that the report itself can also not be imported:
If you do want to import the report, return to the Datasources tab and make sure the datasource of the report in question is imported by making sure that the New Name field is filled in.
On the Finish tab, an overview of all the actions to be performed for the import is shown. Here you can review the actions to make sure everything is as expected:
Click Finish Import to perform the actions as displayed. This will return you to the Reports Overview, where your imported reports can then be found.
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