Using BIRT Analytics basic tools
Basic tools appear throughout BIRT Analytics to support common data analysis operations such as calculating and saving results, clearing work spaces, selecting data, and importing and exporting files. Engineering tools support creating new data fields that support your analysis of existing data values. This section explains the fundamental tools provided in BIRT Analytics.
Understanding the basic tools
A toolbar appears in the window for each analysis type. Some or all of the following basic tools are available in each window.
Calculate
Calculate runs and displays the analysis using the parameter values.
Export
There are two export modes.
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Press the Export button in the analysis toolbar. In this case the results table is exported from the crosstab, Venn, bubble or profile analysis. Values are exported to a comma-separated values (CSV) file, a standard format supported by tools such as Excel and text editors such as Ultraedit and Notepad ++.
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The export icon displayed in the graphic exports the full analysis (data and graphic) in RTF format, which is compatible with word processors such as MS Word.
Clear
Clear removes all entries from the window, without saving.
Convert
This option changes one analysis or indicator into another one with the same features.
Save or Save As
You can save all BIRT Analytics analyses you create using analysis tools or selections. The definition of the analysis is saved, but not the results themselves. Any modification to the database which affects its configuration is automatically applied when the saved analysis is run.
These analyses must always be saved in a folder. If a folder has not been created previously, it can be created at the time of saving the first analysis. You can access saved analyses from Data Tree using My Folders.
Any folder or subfolder is personal, unless you indicate otherwise and give viewing permission to other users. These permissions can be given for both folders and analyses.
If you run a saved analysis, make a change to its configuration, and want to keep both the initial and modified versions, use Save As to save a new version of the analysis.
Applying a filter
Filters are used throughout BIRT Analytics and are based on data segments.
You usually can drag a discrete value directly to a filter area. For example, in an analysis of recent orders, you could drag the Customer Gender discrete value “female” to the analysis filter to see only orders placed by female customers.
Some tools offer more advanced filters.
About advanced filters
Crosstab, bubble, and map analyses support the following three types of filters: universal, target, and baseline.
A universal filter is applied before any change in resolution occurs. A target filter is applied after a change in resolution occurs. For example, to view only records for female customers, add as a universal filter: Gender equals female. If you add Gender equals female as a target filter and change the resolution from Customer to Household, only records that include households with females appear. Some of those households may also include males.
Target and baseline filters are used together to create comparative analyses. Be sure to use segments that can be compared. For example, compare one year with another or one population group with another. When calculating a comparative analysis, you can choose to display a measure as:
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The default for measures is to produce the count of records in both filtered segments. This is not directly useful for most comparisons but can be used as a total when creating calculated fields.
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Shows the degree to which compared groups differ using an indicator. An index value greater than 0 means that the baseline is as many times greater than the value shown by the index with respect to the target. An index value less than 0 means the reverse is true. The formula for Index is:
(Target/Total) / (Baseline/Total)
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Displays size differences between the baseline and the target as measured in units. A negative result means that the baseline has as many more values than the displayed number. A positive result indicates the opposite. The formula for Difference is:
Target - Baseline
More about filters and resolution changes
If you are using filters, note that specific situations require certain filter types. You must use a target filter for pivoted analyses when there is a change in resolution between the axes and the measures in the direction N-to-1. You must use a universal filter with a non-pivoted table when there is a change in resolution between the axes and the measures in the direction N-to-1. When no such size disparity exists between axes and measures, the type of filter used for each analysis does not matter.
Consider creating a crosstab using axes from one table and resolving the results in another. Use, as a filter, a segment from the source table for the axes.
For example:
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To configure the table, you must first select the axis or axes by dragging to the appropriate space, then dragging the measures. By default, when you drag the axes, the value count for the table to which they belong appears.
Creating a parametric filter
Parameters used in filters should be included if a table is calculated or in a situation where you introduce a new data table in order to calculate the final output. The filter is determined by prompting you for the value when the analysis is calculated. You can use either a pre-set filter or a prompted filter, but not both.
Related topics
About analyzing your data
Using Venn diagrams
Using bubble analyses
Using evolution
Using profile analyses
Using a dial
Working with a Canvas
Using map analyses
Using Pareto analyses

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