Test your understanding of key concepts in MicroStrategy reports, metrics, filters, and prompts. This quiz helps assess your knowledge of report structure, analytical objects, customization, and dynamic analysis for effective business intelligence.
Which statement best describes the role of a report filter when generating a report with sales data?
Explanation: A report filter limits the data shown in a report according to specified rules, such as filtering sales by region. It does not change the visual arrangement of columns and rows, which is the function of sorting and formatting; nor does it create metrics or calculations, which is handled separately. Report filters also do not provide encryption for sensitive data, as their purpose is strictly data selection.
When designing a report that allows users to choose a time period before viewing results, what object should you include?
Explanation: A prompt provides interactivity by allowing users to specify conditions, such as choosing a time period, before executing the report. Metrics measure data but do not offer user input, while attributes represent data categories and templates define report layouts. Only prompts enable tailored user queries at runtime.
If you want a calculated field to always summarize sales at the region level regardless of report grouping, which metric setting should you use?
Explanation: A level metric computes results at a preset attribute level, such as region, regardless of how the report is grouped. Aggregation standard is a generic calculation method and may not respect attribute boundaries. Smart Metric is not a standard analytical object. Dynamic Attribute is not used for fixed calculation levels.
What is the primary difference between a report filter and a view filter when viewing a tabular report?
Explanation: The report filter is applied during data retrieval, controlling which records are fetched from the data source. View filters are applied afterward, allowing users to further limit what's displayed without querying the database again. Both filters apply to both graphs and tables, and view filters cannot alter the original database records.
If users must select one or more values from a list, such as product categories, in a report, which prompt type best meets this requirement?
Explanation: A list prompt presents users with a predefined list of options, allowing multiple selections, which fits the scenario described. A value prompt asks for a value input, not a choice from a list. Object prompt refers to choosing objects like metrics or attributes, and expression prompt lets users write conditional logic, usually not just picking values.
In analytics, what does a metric typically represent in the context of a report?
Explanation: Metrics are quantitative calculations, like sums and averages, computed on report data. They are not business rules (those are filters), don't control formatting (that's formatting options), and do not determine report layouts (which is handled by templates).
What happens when you use an AND operator between two filter conditions in a report filter?
Explanation: The AND operator ensures that only data satisfying all conditions appears in the report. The OR operator would include records meeting either condition, not AND. Ignoring conditions and displaying duplicates are incorrect, as filters precisely control data inclusion and do not create extra rows.
Which feature allows users to save their selected prompt answers for reuse in future report executions?
Explanation: Personal Prompt Answers enable users to store and reuse their prompt selections, saving time on subsequent report runs. 'Prompt Answer Book' is not a standard term. 'Saved Views' often refers to storing specific report displays, not just prompt responses. 'Prompt History' tracks previous selections but isn’t primarily for reuse.
If a user wants to organize products in a report from highest to lowest sales but not remove any products, which reporting feature should be used?
Explanation: Sorting arranges data, such as ordering products by sales values, without excluding any items. Filters would hide products that don’t meet specific criteria. Metrics calculate values but do not rearrange results. Prompts may ask questions, but don’t themselves control data order.
What is a benefit of creating a standalone filter object instead of embedding filter logic inside each report?
Explanation: Reusable filters promote consistency and save development time by being applied in several reports. They do not inherently improve execution speed, alter formatting, or generate summary charts. Their main purpose is centralized and repeatable data filtering.