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BI Publisher (Pixel-Perfect Reports)

Last updated: 2026-04-27 Tags: BI Publisher, pixel-perfect, reports, templates, RTF, XPT, bursting, scheduling, data model

📖 Full Oracle Documentation: Designing and Publishing Pixel-Perfect Reports · Designing Pixel-Perfect Layouts

Summary

Oracle BI Publisher (part of OAC Enterprise) generates pixel-perfect, formatted reports for printing, distribution, and regulatory compliance. It separates data retrieval (Data Model) from layout (Template), enabling the same data to be rendered in RTF Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PDFs, HTML, and more. Key capabilities include bursting (splitting and delivering reports per recipient) and scheduling.

Architecture

Data Model (SQL / Subject Area / Web Service)
        ↓
  Publisher Engine
        ↓
Template (RTF / XPT / Excel / eText / XSL)
        ↓
  Output: PDF / Excel / Word / HTML / CSV
        ↓
  Delivery: Email / FTP / Printer / Content Server / OAC Catalog

Data Models

A Data Model defines where data comes from and how it's structured for a report.

Data Set Types

Type Description
SQL Query Direct SQL against any connection
OBIEE (Subject Area) Logical SQL against OAC Subject Area
Web Service SOAP/REST call returns XML/JSON data
XML File Static or parameter-driven XML
Excel Excel file as data source
View Object ADF View Object (Fusion Apps)

Data Model Features

  • Parameters: user-input values that filter the report
  • List of Values (LOV): dropdowns for parameter selection (SQL-backed)
  • Bursting Definition: defines how to split and deliver the report
  • Event Triggers: PL/SQL procedures before/after report execution
  • Structure: hierarchical data sets linked by keys (parent-child data)

Templates

Templates control the visual layout of the report output.

RTF Template (Most Common)

  • Created in Microsoft Word with BI Publisher add-in (Template Builder)
  • Uses field codes in <?...?> syntax
  • Supports: tables, charts, images, conditional sections, loops
<?for-each:ROW?>
  <?PRODUCT_NAME?>  <?REVENUE?>
<?end for-each?>

-- Conditional
<?if:REVENUE > 100000?>
  Top Performer
<?end if?>

-- Total
<?sum(REVENUE)?>

XPT Template

  • OAC's native template format
  • Built in the Layout Editor (browser-based, drag-and-drop)
  • Best for: complex tabular layouts, pivot tables in reports
  • Supports charts natively

Excel Template

  • Excel-based template for tabular data delivery
  • Field references: <?COLUMN_NAME?>

eText Template

  • For EDI, fixed-width text outputs (bank files, government filings)

PDF Template

  • Fill existing PDF form fields with data

Creating a Report (End-to-End)

  1. Publisher Catalog → New → Report
  2. Select or create a Data Model
  3. Layout tab → Add → choose template type
  4. Design layout using Layout Editor or upload RTF template
  5. Preview with sample data
  6. Save report to catalog
  7. Schedule or run on-demand

Parameters

Report parameters let users filter data before running the report.

Parameter Types

Type Control
Text Free-text input
Menu (LOV) Dropdown from SQL query
Date Calendar picker
Boolean Checkbox
Hidden Passed programmatically (bursting, links)

Passing Parameters

  • Run Report: UI shows parameter form before rendering
  • URL: https://<oac>/xmlpserver/path/to/report.xdo?P_YEAR=2024&P_REGION=EMEA
  • Schedule: embed values in the schedule job
  • Bursting: values driven by bursting query

Bursting

Bursting splits a single report into multiple outputs and delivers each to a different recipient.

How It Works

  1. A bursting query in the Data Model returns: SPLIT_KEY, DELIVERY_CHANNEL, DELIVERY_ADDRESS, LOCALE, TEMPLATE
  2. Publisher groups data by SPLIT_KEY, renders each group with the specified template/locale
  3. Delivers each output to the specified address

Example Bursting Query

SELECT 
  REGION_CODE          AS SPLIT_KEY,
  'EMAIL'              AS DEL_CHANNEL,
  MANAGER_EMAIL        AS DEL_ADDRESS,
  'en-US'              AS LOCALE,
  'Sales_Report'       AS TEMPLATE,
  'PDF'                AS OUTPUT_FORMAT
FROM REGION_MANAGERS

Delivery Channels

Channel Config Required
Email SMTP server configuration
FTP/SFTP Server host, port, credentials
WebDAV URL, credentials
Printer CUPS/IPP printer definition
OAC Catalog Save to /Shared Folders path
Content Server (UCM) UCM connection
FAX FTP-to-fax gateway

Scheduling

Reports can be scheduled to run automatically.

Schedule Options

  • Frequency: once, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, cron expression
  • Output format: PDF, Excel, HTML, CSV
  • Delivery: email list, FTP, catalog folder
  • Notification: email on success/failure

Creating a Schedule

Report → Schedule → New Schedule: 1. Set frequency and start/end dates 2. Set parameter values 3. Choose delivery 4. Save schedule

Report Security

  • Reports inherit catalog folder permissions
  • Data Model permissions control who can use/modify the data model
  • Row-level security applied at the Data Model SQL or via Subject Area RLS
  • Parameters can be hidden and pre-populated to restrict data

BI Publisher vs. Classic Analysis

Aspect BI Publisher Classic Analysis
Output format PDF, Excel, Word, HTML HTML, PDF, Excel
Pixel-perfect layout Yes No
Template tool Word + add-in Browser-based
Bursting Yes No (use Agents)
Best for Invoices, regulatory reports Interactive dashboards, ad-hoc