How to SetUp Data Formats: Numbers, strings, dates in Cognos

Data Formats:

You can format data so that it matches any pattern of text and numbers when default formats are not appropriate. For example, you can format dates to use full text, including the era, or you can format them to only use numbers and show the last two digits of years to save space.
Using symbols and patterns can provide similar results as basic data formatting tasks. Patterns allow flexibility for more complex requirements.

Each supported content language code requires a specific set of symbols to be used in patterns. For each language code, there are two tables you will need; one for date and time symbols, and one for decimal symbols.

Formatting data in a report improves readability.

Data Formatting Properties

In the reports we can format numbers, strings, dates, currency and percentage (Different objects)

The following is a list of properties available in the data formatting dialog.

• Maximum No. of Digits
• Minimum No. of Digits
• No. of Decimal Places
• Date Ordering
• Date Separator
• Date Style
• Currency
• Currency Display
• Currency Symbol
• Currency Symbol Position
• Percentage Symbol
• Percent Scale

Procedure:

• Create a list report using the following query items
• Order number
• Order date
• Product name
• Quantity
• Revenue
• Select order date data cell
• In the properties window
• Under data
• Select data format
• Click on eclipse
• Select the format type – select date
• Set following properties – select – Date style – Medium
• From Date separator select – Date ordering – Day, Month, Year
• Click on OK–  Save & Run the report

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