I need to name a report with BatchID

Using 800xA 5.1

We are generating reports (pdf) at the end of every batch. Currently it is naming these reports with text that we entered - Blending Report plus <TimeStamp> in the Action Aspect of Job Description. The Action is Report Action. I have read the manual 3BUF001094 - Data Access and Reports. I cannot find anything about how to dynamically name the reports with anything other than a timestamp. I can pass information into the report itself, but not the name.

My question is is it possible to name the report with the active BatchID instead of the timestamp? I have read other posts about possibly using a batch file to open the report then run a macro to rename it using information stored in a cell. The first issue that I see with this is that we would have to change back to using excel files. This also seems kind of excessive unless this is the only option. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

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SKE Rank: 2057

Asked 2 years ago

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Hi SKE

Please tell me where you are collecting the data, from the local Batch History database (located on the Batch server) or the PDL (Information Management) tables.

Also what report tool are you utilizing, Crystal Reports or Excel?

/Magnus, ABB

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by SKE Rank: 2057 on 4/8/2016 8:43:26 AM | Like (0) | Report

Sorry Magnus,

We are using excel and PDL.

by TorbenGravesen Rank: 507 on 4/9/2016 11:43:02 PM | Like (0) | Report

When you are using Excel as report tool, you can write a small VBA Macro to save the file with any name and type you like. Call the macro before closing the report.

by MagnusABB Rank: 1289 on 4/11/2016 6:28:41 AM | Like (0) | Report

Hi again SKE

The batch ID will can be found within the PDL Oracle tables. You will need to access those tables through an ODBC command. Unfortunately I don't have access to an IM, ie can't send you a screen shot. Anyone out there that can provide more details for SKE?

by SKE Rank: 2057 on 4/11/2016 7:05:13 AM | Like (0) | Report

Magnus,

I know how to find the Batch ID inside of the report through ABBGetOPCDA and it works fine. I can't find a way to make this work in the report naming though.

by MagnusABB Rank: 1289 on 4/11/2016 7:51:48 AM | Like (0) | Report

Ok, please see if Torben can provide you with more details on his Macro solution. I've only used Crystal Reports and when setting it up in the scheduling structure the BatchID is used as identifier and hence incorporated into the file name of the report (as pdf).

by TorbenGravesen Rank: 507 on 4/11/2016 9:46:21 AM | Like (0) | Report

Hi SKE

Actualy the 800xA Action Aspect can create an output file with BatchID as a part of the file name or file path. This requires that the report is launched by a 'Report Action', activated from a Batch procedure.
Normaly there are examples of BatchReports included in the 800xA Scheduling Structure: ../Batch Report Template Excel and ../Batch Report Excel
If you use the 'Report Action' and includes the BatchID as report parameter, you shuld NOT use ABBGetOPCDA to find the BatchID and you do not need to write any Macro to save the file from excel just add <BatchID> to the file name in the Action Aspect.
If you don't use 'Report Action', how do you run the report?

by SKE Rank: 2057 on 4/11/2016 9:54:36 AM | Like (0) | Report

Torben,

I use a report action. The GetOPCDA is only used for values inside the report, not the title. I know what you are talking about with the example reports, and have tried this. It didn't work. It just added the text BatchID to the end of the report name. Have you tried this yourself? It doesn't appear to work, at least on our system.

by TorbenGravesen Rank: 507 on 4/11/2016 10:24:24 AM | Like (0) | Report

SKE

BatchID must be enclosed in <>
We have used this method several times and it works fine.

by SKE Rank: 2057 on 4/11/2016 10:59:19 AM | Like (0) | Report

Thanks Torben. There must be something wrong specific to our system then. I did enclose it in <>. As far as I can tell I am doing things the same way as the templates. Ill keep working on it.

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