Multi-Language support when authoring BI Publisher data models

Marcus M. Thompson

Question: When creating a data model in BI Publisher using an OBIEE environment as a data source, how do we display the selectable tables and columns in their user-specific languages, as we see them in Analytics?

Background: In our OBIEE 12.2.1.4 environment, we use the Externalize Strings functionality in the RPD to create session variables for displaying the names of presentation layer tables and columns in different languages.  For example, we have a presentation column that represents the concept of twelve roughly equivalent divisions of a calendar year, something that we English speakers call 'Month'.  When a user in France signs in, we set his language to FR, and then use an initialization block to read the appropriate column from a translation table and populate a session variable (XLT_MONTH) with the string 'Mois'.  For our German users, we read the appropriate column in the translation table and store the string 'Monat' in the XLT_MONTH session variable.  In the properties of that presentation layer column, we tick the Custom Display Name check box and refer to VALUEOF(NQ_SESSION.XLT_MONTH).  All of this works correctly in Analytics. Our French users see French words, our German users see German words. It's great.

The need: Now we want to integrate BI Publisher into the mix, and the process is not working as desired or as expected. For example, let's say that our German user signs in to OBIEE, and selects New ... Data Model from the menu.  He starts creating a BI Publisher data model, and selects OBIEE as the data source for his dataset.  On the left side of the screen, he selects a subject area, and then he is presented with (in an annoying alphabetical order) all of the tables in that subject area, but in English, not in German.  Even though he sees the German words when he creates an analysis in Analytics, he does not see those German words when he creates a data model in BI Publisher.

When creating a data model in BI Publisher using an OBIEE environment as a data source, how do we display the selectable tables and columns in their user-specific languages, as we see them in Analytics?

BTW, if there is a separate forum for BI Publisher, please point me to that and I'll move this discussion. Thanks!