Impromptu

What is Impromptu?

Impromptu is an interactive database reporting tool. It allows Power Users to query data
without programming knowledge (they will still require knowledge about the data itself).

When using the Impromptu tool, no data is written or changed in the database. It is only
capable of reading the data.

Connecting to the Data Mart:

Catalogs

Impromptu stores metadata in subject related folders. This metadata is what will be used
to develop a query for a report. The metadata set is stored in a file called a ‘catalog’. These
files will end with ‘.cat’. The catalog does not contain any data. It just contains information
about connecting to the database and the fields that will be accessible for reports.

There are 2 ways to open a catalog.

1. From the top menu bar, select Catalogà Open.

2. Opening a report will automatically open the associated catalog.

Reports

Reports are created by choosing fields from the catalog folders. This process will build a SQL
(Structured Query Language) statement behind the scene. No SQL knowledge is required to
use Impromptu.

The data in the report may be formatted, sorted and/or grouped as needed. Titles, dates,
headers and footers and other standard text formatting features (italics, bolding, and font
size) are also available.

Once the desired layout is obtained, the report can be saved to a report file. This file will
end with ‘.imr’. This report can then be run at a different time, and the query will be sent to
the database. It is also possible to save a report as a snapshot. This will provide a local copy
of the data. This data will not be updated when the report is opened.

The report can also be saved as a PDF file for distribution by email etc.

Cross tab reports, similar to Excel Pivot tables, are also easily created in Impromptu.
Data Exploration

For sophisticated users who are familiar with the underlying database, one of Impromptu’s
main uses is for data exploration. It is much more convenient to use than the SAP data
dictionary, for a couple of reasons:

1. It allows data to be extracted from more than one related table at a time. For this to
be done in SAP requires a developer to set up a view. This requirement does not
easily allow analysts to quickly view the data from many tables on an ad hoc basis.
2. It is much easier to download the data into a user friendly format such as Excel than
it is via the SAP data dictionary.

Impromptu Tutorial

There is a tutorial supplied with the Cognos documentation (look under ‘Help’ on menu). It
is worth spending some time going over this, as it will give a much more in depth view of
the capabilities of the tool that this brief introduction.

Cognos Website

Further information about the Cognos tools and a list of training opportunities can be found
at

http://www.cognos.com/ (general info)

http://support.cognos.com/servlet-cs/etraining (training schedules