All third party BI visualization and reporting tools can access a Database View as their data source.

After creating a new View in DSF simply select Publish.


You can Publish to your Physical Database or to the DSF Database. Which one you choose depends on how you plan to access the View from your reporting tool.


If the DSF Database was created on our Cloud Servers you will need the UserID and Password that was given to you when it was first created.


Use Published View

Now that your View has been Published you can use it as the Data Source with any reporting tool.


For example, to use your published view in Excel with the a DSF Cloud Database, follow these instructions:
Note: Instructions may differ depending on your version of Excel.


  1. Launch Excel and create a new blank workbook.
  2. From the Main menu select; Data | Get Data | From Database | From SQL Server Database.
    You will be prompted for the Server and Database names.
  3. For the Server enter:  dataselections.dns04.com
  4. Cloud Demo Databases are assigned by number in no particular order.
    They are named like (DEMO_DSFDB_13405)
    Standard Databases created on our Cloud Server are named like (CLOUD_DSFDB_43233)
    Your database number can be found by hovering your mouse over the cloud icon in the bottom right corner of the main screen or on the About window in the Data Connection section.
  5. Enter your Database name.
  6. Click the OK button.
    You will see multiple tabs to enter credentials.
    You MUST select the Database tab to enter database credentials.
  7. If using the Demo database enter your User name: DemoUser_13405 <replace with your database number>
    If accessing a Standard database on our Cloud Server enter your User name: ReportingUser_43233 <replace with your database number>
  8. The password was given when the database was first created. Enter it in the Password field.  (passwords are case sensitive)
  9. Click the pulldown for the Select which level to apply these settings to prompt.
    Select the item from the list that has your database name at the end. i.e. dataselections.dns04.com;DEMO_DSFDB_13405 (Demo) or dataselections.dns04.com;CLOUD_DSFDB_43233 (Standard)
  10. Click the Connect button.
    You may get a warning that Excel cannot connect using an Encrypted connection.
  11. Click OK and continue with an unencrypted connection.
    You should now see your published view on the list.
  12. Select the view as your data source and click the Load button.
     

    That’s it! Every time you publish your DSF View, changes will be reflected on your reports automatically!
    Note: Some reporting tools (like Excel) have a refresh data source button or can be setup to auto refresh data sources. 


Use SQL Query

The Show SQL option allows you to see the generated SQL Query which you can copy and then paste into your third party reporting tool as the data source.