Frequently Asked Questions & Assistance
What is the spinning cube on the Cognos Connection Report Viewer page?
What happens if I click on "Select a delivery method" on the page with the spinning cube?
How long does it take for a report to finish running?
Can I stop a report once it has started running?
How do I save a report to my computer rather than printing it?
What formats are available for the reports?
How do I convert a report to a different format?
Who has access to the HR Management Report Library?
Can I use the HR Management Report Library if I use an Apple Macintosh computer?
Who can I contact with questions regarding the HR Management Report Library?
Who can I contact for assistance with Cognos ReportNet?
How can I have a different report prepared for me?
What is the spinning cube on the Cognos Connection Report Viewer page?
The spinning cube indicates ReportNet is working to produce your report. You can minimize the page with the spinning cube and ReportNet will continue working in the background and display your report once it is complete.
What happens if I click on "Select a delivery method" on the page with the spinning cube?
The "select a delivery method" feature is an option for receiving your completed report versus waiting for the report to finish running on your desktop. Clicking on the option "Save the report as report view" will prompt you to enter a name and a folder location (within Cognos Report Viewer) for the saved report. After entering this data, click OKAY to return to the listing of reports. Your completed report will be saved in the folder location you specified.
Clicking on the option "Send the report by email" will prompt you to enter the email address for the individual(s) receiving the report, the subject line and the text for the body of the email. In the Attachments section, select the option "Include the report". After entering this data, click OKAY to return to the listing of reports. Your completed report will be sent as an attachment in an email to the individual(s) you specified.
How long does it take for a report to finish running?
The amount of time it takes for a report to finish depends on which report you have selected. Some reports run in 2-5 minutes. Others take 8-15 minutes or longer. While a report is running, you can minimize your ReportNet session and the report will continue running in the background while you do other tasks. Also, you can cancel your request, exit the system, and come back and request your report at another time.
Can I stop a report once it has started running?
You can stop a report from running by performing one of the options below. These options will return you to the listing of reports where you can exit the system or select to run another report by clicking on the underlined report title.
- If a report is running (the spinning cube will be displayed), click the Cancel button which will cause it to stop.
- If you are at a prompt page within a report, instead of selecting or entering data at the prompt(s), click the Cancel button.
- If a report is already displayed on your screen, click the Return button (upper right corner).
How do I print a report?
With the report displayed on your screen, click on the icon that looks like a printer. Note: The management reports may contain confidential employee information and access is restricted to AAL members and their designees. Discretion should be used when printing a report.
How do I save a report to my computer rather than printing it?
With the report displayed, click on "Save a Copy" (PDF format) or "Save As" (Excel format). When prompted, rename the document and choose where to save it. Note: The management reports may contain confidential employee information and access is restricted to AAL members and their designees. Discretion should be used when saving a report.
What formats are available for reports?
The default format for all the HR management reports is PDF. PDF is the preferred format because it provides a nice, print-ready version of the report. HTML also provides a nice, print-ready version of the report, however, with HTML when viewing the first page of a multi-page report, when you page-down or select next-page, the report executes again to present the next page, and so on as you page through the report. Also, with HTML, if you select the print icon to print the report only the page you are viewing will print.
Microsoft Excel provides the report in spreadsheet format which gives you the ability to manipulate the data (e.g. sort, delete, edit) in the report. Note: Some of the management reports do not present well in spreadsheet format.
How do I convert a report to a different format?
With the report displayed on your screen, click one of the following icons to change the report from PDF to a different format.
View in HTML format
View in Excel 2002 format
Can I email a report?
With the report displayed on your screen, click on the icon that looks like an envelope to email the report. On the next screen, enter the email address(es) of the person to whom you are sending the report. If you are sending the report to more than one person, separate the email addresses with a semi-colon. Click SEND and the email with the report attached will be sent. Note: The management reports may contain confidential employee information and access is restricted to AAL members and their designees. Discretion should be used when emailing a report
How do I run a report again?
With the report displayed on your screen, click the Return button (upper right corner) which will return you to the listing of reports in Report Viewer. From the report listing you can run the same report again (or a different report) by clicking on the underlined report title.
What is ReportNet?
ReportNet is a web-based product for creating and managing reports. Human Resources developed the reports in the HR Management Report Library using the ReportNet tool.
Who has access to the HR Management Report Library?
Access is granted exclusively to AAL members and their designees. The five-digit organization code from the organization hierarchy list (maintained by the Controller's Office) is the basis for the security controls on the management reports.
Can I use the HR Management Report Library if I use an Apple Macintosh computer?
You can access ReportNet reports on your Apple computer if you are using "Firefox" web browser software. While IRT has provided this software to most Mac users, please contact IRT Tech Desk at ext. 2-6230 if you need Firefox software.
When entering criteria to run a report, why am I limited to a date "greater than or equal to July 1, 2003?
Data for the management reports is contained in the ODS database (established with the installation of Banner/SCT). Data from the old HR database was converted with an effective date of July 1, 2003.
Send the Report by Email
Run - this brings you back to the prompt page to run the same report again
View in HTML format
View in PDF format
View in Excel format
Who can I contact with questions regarding the HR Management Report Library?
For questions and/or assistance, please contact:
| Kim Koch | x2-6517 | kskoch@stthomas.edu |
| Nancy Peterson | x2-6506 | pete3734@stthomas.edu |
Who can I contact for assistance with Cognos ReportNet?
For assistance with the Cognos ReportNet application, please contact the IRT Tech Desk at ext. 2-6230. The IRT Tech Desk operator will assist you or forward your questions and concerns to Human Resources.
How can I have a different report prepared for me?
If an existing report does not fit your needs you can make a request for a new report via the HR Report Request Form. Please note that requests for new reports may not always be met due to limitations within the ReportNet software or existence of a comparable report, but we will do as much as possible to fulfill your needs.
