Post on 31-Mar-2018
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 1 Updated August 15, 2014
MicroStrategy Quick Guide: Creating Prompts ITU Data Mart Support Group, Reporting Services
Prompts Prompts are questions the report user must answer in order to run the report. Some prompts are
required and some are optional. Prompts can be the following varieties:
Prompt Types Hierarchy Qualification Prompt – This type of prompt allows users to qualify on attributes and
elements from a specific hierarchy.
Use a Hierarchy Qualification Prompt when you want to prompt across attributes within a
hierarchy, e.g. attributes of a calendar hierarchy allows users to answer day, month or year
values.
Attribute Qualification Prompt – This type of prompt allows you to qualify on an attribute's ID,
description or other form.
Use an Attribute Qualification Prompt when you want to prompt on a specific attribute form.
Attribute Element List – This type of prompt allows users to choose from a list of elements.
Use an Attribute Element List when you want to prompt on a list of attribute values.
Metric Qualification Prompt – This type of prompt allows users to qualify on one or more
metrics.
Use a Metric Qualification Prompt when you want to prompt on a metric value.
Object Prompt – This type of prompt allows users to choose one or more objects.
Use an Object Prompt when you want to prompt on a list of objects. You can use this to select a
filter object to include as a filter, select an attribute object to include on a grid, select a metric
object to include on a grid, etc.
Value Prompt – This type of prompt allows users to enter a text, date, number or other value
type.
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 2 Updated August 15, 2014
Use a Value Prompt when you want to allow users to type in a text, date, or numeric value.
Create a Prompt
Standalone
As a power user, you can create standalone prompts to be used on multiple reports.
1. Navigate to the home screen in MicroStrategy.
2. Click the button that says “New Prompt” within the Create menu
3. Select a type of prompt to create
a. Hierarchy Qualification Prompt
i. Definition – select the hierarchy(ies) to use for the prompt
1. All hierarchies – select this option to prompt the user on all hierarchies
defined in the project
2. Choose a hierarchy – select this option to specify a specific hierarchy to
prompt the user
3. Use a predefined list of hierarchies – select this option to specify a list of
hierarchies to prompt the user
4. Use the result of a search object – select this option to specify a search
object that results in hierarchies to prompt the user
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 3 Updated August 15, 2014
ii. General – set the general options for the prompt
1. Title – set the display title of the prompt
2. Instructions – set the display instructions of the prompt
3. Prompt answer is required – select this option to require an answer to
this prompt
4. Minimum number of qualifications – set the minimum number of
answers required for this prompt
5. Maximum number of qualifications – set the maximum number of
answers required for this prompt
6. Personal answers allowed – select “None” to restrict users from saving a
personal prompt answer, select “Single” to allow users to save a single
prompt answer, or select “Multiple” to allow users to save multiple
prompt answers (recommended)
iii. Style – set the style options for this prompt
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 4 Updated August 15, 2014
1. Display style – select a display style for the hierarchy prompt (Tree or
Shopping Cart)
a. Fixed textbox width – select to fix the textbox to a set width
b. Fixed textbox height – select to fix the textbox to a set height
2. Orientation – select Vertical or Horizontal
a. Items per column/row – select to fix the amount of items per
column/row
3. Show search box – select “TRUE” to show the search box or “FALSE” to
hide the search box
a. Make search required – select to require searching when the
search box is shown
4. Use folder structure – select this option to display the prompt choices in
a folder structure
a. Do not show empty folders – select this option to hide empty
folders from folder browsing
b. Allow navigation above search root – select this option to allow
navigation at a higher level than the root of the search
iv. Qualification – set the qualification options for a prompt
1. Expression type allowed – select the expression type(s) allowed for the
hierarchy prompt (Qualify, Select, or Qualify and Select)
2. Default expression type – select a default expression type (Qualify or
Select)
3. Default condition operator – select a default condition operator (equals,
does not equal, etc.)
4. Maximum number of elements per list – select this option to specify a
maximum number of elements returned in an attribute element list
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 5 Updated August 15, 2014
5. Allow element import – select this option to allow the import of a list of
elements
6. Default operator between conditions – select a default operator to use
between conditions (AND, OR)
7. Allow modification of the logical operator – select this option to allow
users to modify the logical operator between conditions; set the
restrictions of user modification
a. Use a single logical operator between all conditions – select this
option to restrict all conditions to use the same operator
b. Allow the user to set independent logical operators between
conditions – select this option to allow different operators for
each condition
v. Click “Save” or “Save As” to save the prompt object to the desired location.
b. Attribute Qualification Prompt
i. Definition – select the attribute(s) to use for the prompt
1. Choose an attribute – select this option to specify a specific attribute to
prompt the user
2. Use a predefined list of attributes – select this option to specify a list of
attributes to prompt the user
3. Use the result of a search object – select this option to specify a search
object that results in attributes to prompt the user
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 6 Updated August 15, 2014
4. Select the attribute forms that should be displayed for the attribute
qualification – select the forms to display when prompting the user
a. All attribute forms – select this option to display all attribute
forms available for the attribute
b. Browse forms – select this option to display the browse forms
as set up by the project architect
c. Report display forms – select this option to display the default
report display forms as set up by the project architect
d. Custom display forms – select this option to manually select
which forms to display
ii. General – set the general options for the prompt
1. Title – set the display title of the prompt
2. Instructions – set the display instructions of the prompt
3. Prompt answer is required – select this option to require an answer to
this prompt
4. Minimum number of qualifications – set the minimum number of
answers required for this prompt
5. Maximum number of qualifications – set the maximum number of
answers required for this prompt
6. Personal answers allowed – select “None” to restrict users from saving a
personal prompt answer, select “Single” to allow users to save a single
prompt answer, or select “Multiple” to allow users to save multiple
prompt answers (recommended)
iii. Style – set the style options for this prompt
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 7 Updated August 15, 2014
1. Display style – select a display style for the prompt (Textbox, Radio
Button, Pull Down, List or Shopping Cart)
a. Fixed textbox width – select to fix the textbox to a set width
b. Fixed textbox height – select to fix the textbox to a set height
2. Orientation – select Vertical or Horizontal
a. Items per column/row – select to fix the amount of items per
column/row
3. Show search box – select “TRUE” to show the search box or “FALSE” to
hide the search box
a. Make search required – select to require searching when the
search box is shown
4. Use folder structure – select this option to display the prompt choices in
a folder structure
a. Do not show empty folders – select this option to hide empty
folders from folder browsing
b. Allow navigation above search root – select this option to allow
navigation at a higher level than the root of the search
iv. Qualification – set the qualification options for a prompt
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 8 Updated August 15, 2014
1. Expression type allowed – select the expression type(s) allowed for the
hierarchy prompt (Qualify, Select, or Qualify and Select)
2. Default expression type – select a default expression type (Qualify or
Select)
3. Default condition operator – select a default condition operator (equals,
does not equal, etc.)
4. Maximum number of elements per list – select this option to specify a
maximum number of elements returned in an attribute element list
5. Allow element import – select this option to allow the import of a list of
elements
6. Default operator between conditions – select a default operator to use
between conditions (AND, OR)
7. Allow modification of the logical operator – select this option to allow
users to modify the logical operator between conditions; set the
restrictions of user modification
a. Use a single logical operator between all conditions – select this
option to restrict all conditions to use the same operator
b. Allow the user to set independent logical operators between
conditions – select this option to allow different operators for
each condition
v. Click “Save” or “Save As” to save the prompt object to the desired location.
c. Attribute Element List
i. Definition – select the attribute(s) to use for the prompt
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 9 Updated August 15, 2014
1. Specify the attribute – select the attribute by which to prompt the user
2. Define elements
a. List all elements (no restriction) – select this option to list all
available elements of the selected attribute
b. Use a predefined list of elements – select this option to specify a
list of elements to use in the prompt
c. Use a filter to reduce the number of elements – select this
option to use a filter object to limit the list of elements used in
the prompt
ii. General – set the general options for the prompt
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 10 Updated August 15, 2014
1. Title – set the display title of the prompt
2. Instructions – set the display instructions of the prompt
3. Prompt answer is required – select this option to require an answer to
this prompt
4. Minimum number of qualifications – set the minimum number of
answers required for this prompt
5. Maximum number of qualifications – set the maximum number of
answers required for this prompt
6. Personal answers allowed – select “None” to restrict users from saving a
personal prompt answer, select “Single” to allow users to save a single
prompt answer, or select “Multiple” to allow users to save multiple
prompt answers (recommended)
iii. Style – set the style options for this prompt
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 11 Updated August 15, 2014
1. Display style – select a display style for the prompt (Radio Button, Check
Box, Pull Down, List, Shopping Cart, Barcode Reader or Geo Location)
a. Fixed textbox width – select to fix the textbox to a set width
b. Fixed textbox height – select to fix the textbox to a set height
2. Orientation – select Vertical or Horizontal
a. Items per column/row – select to fix the amount of items per
column/row
3. Default selection – select a default selection (Automatic, First Item, or
Last Item)
4. Show search box – select “TRUE” to show the search box or “FALSE” to
hide the search box
a. Make search required – select to require searching when the
search box is shown
5. Use folder structure – select this option to display the prompt choices in
a folder structure
a. Do not show empty folders – select this option to hide empty
folders from folder browsing
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 12 Updated August 15, 2014
b. Allow navigation above search root – select this option to allow
navigation at a higher level than the root of the search
6. iPhone/iPad/Android display options – not yet applicable as
MicroStrategy mobile is not yet available at GMU
iv. Click “Save” or “Save As” to save the prompt object to the desired location.
d. Metric Qualification Prompt
i. Definition – select the metric(s) to use for the prompt
1. Choose a metric – select this option to specify a specific metric to
prompt the user
2. Use a predefined list of metrics – select this option to specify a list of
metrics to prompt the user
3. Use the result of a search object – select this option to specify a search
object that results in metrics to prompt the user
ii. General – set the general options for the prompt
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 13 Updated August 15, 2014
1. Title – set the display title of the prompt
2. Instructions – set the display instructions of the prompt
3. Prompt answer is required – select this option to require an answer to
this prompt
4. Minimum number of qualifications – set the minimum number of
answers required for this prompt
5. Maximum number of qualifications – set the maximum number of
answers required for this prompt
6. Personal answers allowed – select “None” to restrict users from saving a
personal prompt answer, select “Single” to allow users to save a single
prompt answer, or select “Multiple” to allow users to save multiple
prompt answers (recommended)
iii. Style – set the style options for this prompt
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 14 Updated August 15, 2014
1. Display style – select a display style for the prompt (Textbox, Radio
Button, Pull Down, List, or Shopping Cart)
a. Fixed textbox width – select to fix the textbox to a set width
b. Fixed textbox height – select to fix the textbox to a set height
2. Orientation – select Vertical or Horizontal
a. Items per column/row – select to fix the amount of items per
column/row
3. Default selection – select a default selection (Automatic, First Item, or
Last Item)
4. Show search box – select “TRUE” to show the search box or “FALSE” to
hide the search box
a. Make search required – select to require searching when the
search box is shown
5. Use folder structure – select this option to display the prompt choices in
a folder structure
a. Do not show empty folders – select this option to hide empty
folders from folder browsing
b. Allow navigation above search root – select this option to allow
navigation at a higher level than the root of the search
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 15 Updated August 15, 2014
iv. Qualification – set the qualification options for a prompt
1. Default condition operator – select a default condition operator (equals,
does not equal, etc.)
2. Default operator between conditions – select a default operator to use
between conditions (AND, OR)
3. Allow modification of the logical operator – select this option to allow
users to modify the logical operator between conditions; set the
restrictions of user modification
a. Use a single logical operator between all conditions – select this
option to restrict all conditions to use the same operator
b. Allow the user to set independent logical operators between
conditions – select this option to allow different operators for
each condition
4. Display output level selector – select this option to display the output
level selector that allows the user to select the level at which to output
the metric (output levels explained in MicroStrategy’s advanced
reporting guide)
v. Click “Save” or “Save As” to save the prompt object to the desired location.
e. Object Prompt
i. Definition – select the objects to use for the prompt
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 16 Updated August 15, 2014
1. Use a predefined list of objects – select this option to specify a list of
objects to prompt the user
2. Use the result of a search object – select this option to specify a search
object that results in objects to prompt the user
ii. General – set the general options for the prompt
1. Title – set the display title of the prompt
2. Instructions – set the display instructions of the prompt
3. Prompt answer is required – select this option to require an answer to
this prompt
4. Minimum number of qualifications – set the minimum number of
answers required for this prompt
5. Maximum number of qualifications – set the maximum number of
answers required for this prompt
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 17 Updated August 15, 2014
6. Personal answers allowed – select “None” to restrict users from saving a
personal prompt answer, select “Single” to allow users to save a single
prompt answer, or select “Multiple” to allow users to save multiple
prompt answers (recommended)
iii. Style – set the style options for this prompt
1. Display style – select a display style for the prompt (Radio Button, Check
Box, Pull Down, List, or Shopping Cart)
a. Fixed textbox width – select to fix the textbox to a set width
b. Fixed textbox height – select to fix the textbox to a set height
2. Orientation – select Vertical or Horizontal
a. Items per column/row – select to fix the amount of items per
column/row
3. Default selection – select a default selection (Automatic, First Item, or
Last Item)
4. Show search box – select “TRUE” to show the search box or “FALSE” to
hide the search box
a. Make search required – select to require searching when the
search box is shown
5. Use folder structure – select this option to display the prompt choices in
a folder structure
a. Do not show empty folders – select this option to hide empty
folders from folder browsing
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 18 Updated August 15, 2014
b. Allow navigation above search root – select this option to allow
navigation at a higher level than the root of the search
iv. Click "Save" or "Save As" to save the prompt object to the desired location.
f. Value Prompt
i. Definition – select the type of value prompt
1. Date & Time prompt – select this option to create a prompt for a
date/time value
2. Numeric prompt – select this option to create a prompt for a numeric
value (up to 15 digits of precision)
3. Text prompt – select this option to create a prompt for a text value
4. Big Decimal prompt – select this option to create a prompt for a big
decimal value (up to 38 digits of precision)
ii. General – set the general options for the prompt
1. Title – set the display title of the prompt
2. Instructions – set the display instructions of the prompt
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 19 Updated August 15, 2014
3. Prompt answer is required – select this option to require an answer to
this prompt
4. Minimum number of qualifications – set the minimum number of
answers required for this prompt
5. Maximum number of qualifications – set the maximum number of
answers required for this prompt
6. Personal answers allowed – select “None” to restrict users from saving a
personal prompt answer, select “Single” to allow users to save a single
prompt answer, or select “Multiple” to allow users to save multiple
prompt answers (recommended)
iii. Style – set the style options for this prompt
1. Display style – select a display style for the prompt (Textbox)
2. Fixed textbox width – select to fix the textbox to a set width
iv. Click "Save" or "Save As" to save the prompt object to the desired location.
Within a Report
When you’re creating or modifying a report, you can use the standalone prompts that you or others
have created as part of the report definition. Navigate to the folder containing the prompt object, drag
the prompt object and drop it in the Report Filter open area.
If you want to use an object prompt that determines the attributes/metrics used on a report, drag the
prompt object to the report template and drop in the rows or columns open area.
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 20 Updated August 15, 2014
You can also create prompts on the fly within a report. Prompts created this way will be local to the
report and cannot be reused.
1. Open a report in design view (or create a new blank report)
2. Using the object browser on the left side of the screen, navigate to the object that you want to
use to create your prompt (e.g. if you want to prompt on Fiscal Year, navigate to the folder
containing the Fiscal Year attribute)
3. Drag the object and drop in the Report Filter open area
a. Qualification Prompt (applies to attributes & metrics)
i. Select the radio button next to “Qualify”
ii. Click the icon next to the Qualify button to create a qualification prompt
iii. The prompt will be created with default settings. To change the settings of the
qualification prompt, click the hyperlink titled “Qualification on [object name]”
and follow the instructions in the standalone prompts instructions for a
qualification prompt.
b. Value Prompt (applies to attributes & metrics)
i. Select the radio button next to “Qualify”
ii. Click the icon next to the Apply button to create a value prompt
iii. The prompt will be set up with default settings. To change the settings of the
value prompt, click the hyperlink titled “[object name] Value” and follow the
instructions in the standalone prompts instructions for a value prompt.
MicroStrategy Version 9.3.1 21 Updated August 15, 2014
iv. Click “Apply” to create the prompt.
c. Element Prompt (applies to only attributes)
i. Select the radio button next to “Select”
ii. Click the icon next to the Select button to create an element prompt
iii. The prompt will be created with default settings. To change the settings of the
element prompt, click the hyperlink titled “Elements of [object name]” and
follow the instructions in the standalone prompts instructions for an attribute
element prompt.