Variables

Xtraction enables designers to restrict the content that displays in a dashboard or document by adding variable condition filters. The filters ensure that the dashboard or document content can be used universally, not just for a single user.

For example, let's say a dashboard displays all tasks (such as incidents, requests, and changes) assigned to all users. By using a variable condition filter such as "Assignee" equals "@username" (where "@username" represents a variable for each potential user), the designer ensures that any user can enter their own username to view the tasks assigned just to them.

It's the Xtraction administrator's responsibility to create the variables and assign them to user accounts. Afterward, it's the task of a designer to associate the variables with the content by way of a filter condition. Designers will only see variables that have been assigned to their own user account. For details, see the User Guide topic "Filters."

After creating a list of variables, if you remove one from the list, that variable will be removed from each user account to which it was assigned. This action will not remove the variable condition filters from a data source's documents or dashboards.

1.At bottom of the page, click the Administration > User Administration link.

2.Click the Variable Administration tab.

3.Right-click in the Name pane of the dialog and select Add variable. If variables already exist, you can also edit or remove them.

4.If adding or editing a variable, the Variable dialog displays with these fields:

•Text: The variable name as seen by the user.

•Variable Name: The name that will be used in the variable condition filter. You can name variables any way you want, but note that they're case sensitive, so you will want to standardize the naming conventions you use.

•Associated Field: The name of a field from the data source that you're associating with this variable. Click the icon to select the data source and view all available fields.

5.Click OK when finished.

You can assign a variable to one or more user accounts and give it a default value that will be substituted in the variable condition filter. See the next procedure for details.

Assigning variables to user accounts

Xtraction provides two ways of assigning variables to users:

•Use the Administration > User Administration link > Variable Administration tab to assign variables to one or more users at a time.

•Use the Administration > User Administration link > User Administration tab to assign variables to one user at a time.

You can also enable users to edit the variable value through their user profile when they click the Profile > Settings link > Variables tab. Most users will not need to edit variable values. Only select the edit option for the few users who have unrestricted access to data, such as senior managers or executive designers. Only editable variables will display in a user's profile.

1. At bottom of the page, click the Administration > User Administration link.

2.Click the Variable Administration tab to display the list of variables.

3.Select a variable in the list, then right-click in the Users pane and select Add User(s) to add one or more users. Use your Ctrl key to select multiple users. Click OK.

4.The Variable Value dialog displays. Click the icon to select a default value for this variable. To make the value editable, select the User can edit? option. Most users will not need to edit variable values.

5.Click OK when finished.

1. At bottom of the page, click the Administration > User Administration link.

2.Click the User Administration tab to display the user list.

3.Right-click a user and select Edit.

4.Click the Variables tab to view a list of available variables. You can select from these options:

•Assign: Select to assign a variable to this user profile.

•Editable: Select to enable the user to edit the variable value. Most users will not need to edit variable values.

•Variable: The variable name as added under the Variable Administration tab.

•Value: The default value that will be substituted in the variable condition filter.

•Search: Click the button at the end of any row to assign a value to the Value column.

5.Click OK when finished.

The user will see the following information in their profile, based on the image example above. Only the variable "Group" is visible since it's editable. The user can click the button at the end of the row to select a new value.