[Skip Global Navigation]

SPSS Tech Tips

SPSS Direct Home

ShowCase® Analyzer™: Personalizing and customizing reports

This is a complimentary tip available only to SPSS Direct subscribers.

Question

What new personalization and customization features are available in ShowCase Analyzer?

Answer

Two new personalization and customization features in ShowCase Analyzer make creating reports easier than ever:

Personal variables enable you to define and name complex member selections. Once you define a personal variable, you can use it any time you are presented with the corresponding dimension and database connection. Other users can also create personal variables, using the same name, dimension, and database connection that contain different dimension member selections. This technique enables designers to create hybrid reports that feature both generic and user-specific content.

The Point of View option enables you to automatically insert the dimensions and members that are of interest to you into other users' reports. Point of View expedites the process of member selection in complex dimensions and ensures accurate standardized selections. You can also define Point of View settings using personal variable selections.

Point of View vs. personal variables

Point of View definitions replace all existing member selections for corresponding dimensions and database connections. Personal variables can instead augment existing member selections for a single dimension. You can also use personal variables to create Point of View definitions.

Creating a personal variable

Defining a personal variable does not automatically include the personal variable in a query. You must select the personal variable from the Dimension Browser when the query is defined. To create a personal variable:

To select a personal variable for use in a query, select it from the Dimension Browser Browse panel.

For more SPSS technical tips, please visit the SPSS Technical Support Web site at http://support.spss.com/.