How to Create a Shared Dataset in Bold Reports Enterprise

Shared datasets in Bold Reports Enterprise enable reusable data queries across multiple reports, ensuring consistency, reducing redundancy, and streamlining data management. This guide outlines the purpose and benefits of shared datasets and provides step-by-step instructions for creating and using them within the platform.

Purpose of Shared Datasets

Shared datasets allow users to define a single data query that can be reused across multiple reports. This centralizes data logic and offers the following advantages:

• Consistency: All reports using the shared dataset pull from the same data structure, reducing discrepancies.
• Efficiency: Eliminates the need to recreate identical queries for each report, saving time.
• Maintainability: Updates to the dataset (e.g., query modifications) automatically apply to all linked reports.
• Scalability: Simplifies management for organizations with large reporting ecosystems.

Shared datasets are ideal for scenarios like standardizing financial metrics, customer data, or operational KPIs across dashboards and reports.

Benefits of Using Shared Datasets

• Centralized Data Management: Modify a single dataset to update all associated reports.
• Reduced Errors: Consistent queries minimize the risk of manual errors in report-specific datasets.
• Improved Collaboration: Teams can share standardized datasets, ensuring alignment across departments.
• Streamlined Report Design: Developers and analysts can focus on visualization rather than repetitive query writing.

Steps to Create a Shared Dataset

Step 1. Initiate Dataset Creation

1. Log in to the Bold Reports Enterprise server.
2. From the left-side menu, select Datasets.
3. Click the Create Dataset button in the top-right corner.

Step 2. Select a Data Source

1. In the Create Dataset dialog, choose one of the following:
   • Create New DataSource to set up a new data source.
   • Use Existing DataSource to select a preconfigured data source.
2. Select the desired data source from the list.
3. Click Connect to proceed.

Step 3. Configure the Dataset

1. Enter a descriptive name for the dataset in the provided field.
2. Click Proceed to Query Designer to open the query designer interface.
   
   

Step 4. Build the Query in Query Designer

In the Query Designer, you can create the dataset query using one of two methods:

Option 1: Drag-and-Drop Method

1. Ensure the Code button is disabled.
2. Drag and drop the required data fields (e.g., tables, columns) from the data source into the Query Designer canvas.
3. Enable the Code button to view and verify the automatically generated query.

Option 2: Manual Query Input

1. Enable the Code button.
2. Manually enter the SQL query in the provided editor. For example:

SELECT [Name], [GroupName], [ModifiedDate] FROM [HumanResources].[Department] WHERE DepartmentID = 1; 

3. Validate the query to ensure it executes correctly.
   
   

Step 5. Save the Shared Dataset

1. After building or reviewing the query, click Save and Exit to store the dataset configuration.
2. The dataset is now saved as a shared resource and can be used across multiple reports.
   
   
   
   
   

Conclusion

Creating shared datasets in Bold Reports Enterprise simplifies report development by enabling consistent data reuse. By configuring a data source, building a query, and saving the dataset, you can streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and maintain data accuracy across your reporting environment.

Related Articles

• Manage Data Sources in Bold Reports
• Create a Report Using a Shared Dataset
• Query Designer Overview

Additional Resources

• Dataset Management Documentation