Can system-wide data formats in OBIEE be configured outside of Answers

Question

Does anyone know of a OBIEE configuration file in 12c, or a way to configure an OBIEE environment so data formats can be set system-wide in a configuration file, or .XML file?

I know how to set system-wide data formats in column properties in an answers report.  See screen shot below.

But, when I spin up a new obiee environment I deploy my custom styles and custom messages no problem.  It would be nice to also have a way to just copy a config file and have our data formats already set without having to define and set them in Answers.  Thanks for your help.

CP Strother-Oracle · Answer

Hi Sherry, Thank you for the tip.  I'm wondering if you've had any personal experience with success in moving a datatype_format file from one server to another?

Based on the doc's you sent, I setup four data formats to be "saved as system-wide defaults" on my 1st BIEE servers

1. Currency with $, 1,000 separator, no decimal, minus in parenthesis

2. Percentage with no decimal, minus in paren's

3. Number with no decimal, minus in paren's

4. Custom with format of  $#,#.99; ($#,#.99);      -

That covers my number formatting requirements.  When I look at the _datatype_formats  file saved as a result (the readable one, not .atr), on my BIEE server I only see the last entry made.  Here's what it looks like:

<saw:dataFormat xsi:type="saw:custom" customFormat=" $#,#,#,#.00; ($#,#,#,#.00);-"/>

The other entries are non-existent.  Any personal experience or clues as to where the other 3 settings may have disappeared to?  Or, does OBIEE only save one system-wide format?  I figured it was a moot point to copy the file since all I'm seeing is the last saved entry.

Again, I'm on 12c.  BTW - for our fellow readers, the data format file for 12c is stored here:

$BI_DOMAIN/bidata/service_instances/ssi/metadata/content/catalog/root/system/metadata

Thanks again for any assistance on this matter.

Sherry George · Answer

That setting get saved under system metadata folder in the catalog. Check these support docs Doc ID 1449681.1

Doc ID 2127991.1