Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• General RIAS Questions
  
• Procure to Pay
  
• General Ledger
  
• Financial Reports
  
• REX
  
• Human Resources, Payroll, and Budgeting
  

Financial Reports Frequently Asked Questions

• Getting Started
  
• Creating and Formatting Reports
  
• Printing Reports
• Saving Reports
• Exporting Reports
• Error Messages

Getting Started

1. How will I know if I have access to the RIAS Gateway?
   
   If you receive the error below, it means that you do not have access. Contact the Help Desk at 732-445-2100 if you think you should have access.
   

   

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2. Where do I find the online reports?
   
   On the RIAS Gateway select the financial dashboard tab. A worksheet list on the left hand side of the financial dashboard will be a list of standard reports available to you based on your Extended Budget Responsibility Code (EBRC).
   



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3. How do I configure Pop Up blockers on my computer?
   
   Check the Desktop Configuration guide for complete instructions on configuring pop ups.



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4. Can Mac computers use Discoverer?
   
   Yes.



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5. "Refreshing Portlet" is displayed on the RIAS Gateway financial dashboard tab under Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) boxes. What should I do?
   
   Go up to your Internet toolbar and select the Refresh icon until the information for the KPIs displays.



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6. How do you display only one report instead of the standard listing?
   
   Select the focus icon next to the report to display only that report and all of its worksheets.
   

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Creating and Formatting Reports

1. How do you view multiple fund sources and multiple fiscal periods in a report?
   
   If you entered multiple fund sources and fiscal periods on the parameters screen, then you have the option to select All from the fund source drop down box or All from the fiscal period drop down box. If you select All in the fund source, you must select All in the fund source description drop down box. Only select All in reports that are not displaying year to date information.
   

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2. Can column(s) be deleted?
   
   You cannot delete a column in a report. You can hide the column(s). Select Sort on the toolbar and then More... In the first drop down box underneath all of the sort boxes, select the column you want to hide and check the Hide Column box next to its name.
   

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3. Can columns be sorted?
   
   You can change the sort order for the column data by clicking on the Sort link in the Format toolbar. A drop down box will display a list of the column names and the order for the sort, (A to Z, Z to A, Ascending or Descending).
   

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4. Can you change column position(s) in a report?
   
   In the Report formatting toolbar, select Layout. You can either move the columns by using the drop down boxes underneath the Layout toolbar or select More... If you select More, columns can be moved by using the arrows next to columns. Once you've made your changes, select Apply to update the report(s).
   

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5. What is the Stoplight feature?
   
   Stoplight is a way of color coding data. You might want to categorize account balances as Unacceptable, Acceptable and Desirable by defining each range and identifying background colors for the ranges.
   

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6. Can you add other reporting attributes to a report?
   
   The blue triangle next to a column name allows you to add other reporting attributes.



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7. How can a particular value(s) be highlighted in a report?
   Select Format in the toolbar and choose Create Conditional Format. Define a condition for the field you want to format. Indicate the column and value to be highlighted in the drop down box. Select the Operator (=, <, >) and dollar amount. Select formatting options to apply to the specified cell. Select Apply to update the report.
   

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8. Can graphs/tables be displayed in report(s)?
   
   Select Worksheet Options in the Actions box. This screen gives a list of Display Options. In Display Options, you select the items you want to show on your report.
   • Title: Title of the report you are running
   • Graph: The report will display the data in a graph
   • Table: The report will display the data in a table format
   • Both: The report will display the data in both graph and table format
   
   Use the Graph toolbar to select the graph type and specify how the graph is displayed. Use the Data toolbar to include in the graph either all the data in the worksheet, or just the rows and columns that are currently being displayed.
   

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Printing Reports

1. Can you change the heading on a report?
   
   You cannot change the heading on a report unless you export the report to Microsoft Excel.



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2. What does Content Setup/Page Setup do?
   
   Content Setup allows you to change print settings such as page items, header and footer information or table or graph settings. Page Setup> allows you to adjust page orientation, margins, scale or column widths.
   

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Saving Reports

1. Where can I find my saved report(s)?
   
   Select the Discoverer Viewer link under the Links and Notifications tab on the RIAS Gateway. Click on your connection for DW1. The saved report(s) will be displayed in the Worksheet List.
   

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2. What happens to a report(s) when you select Revert to Saved in the Actions box?
   
   If you have not saved your changes, and you click on the Revert to Saved link to rerun the current report, it will discard any changes made to the report. The original report will be displayed.
   

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Exporting Reports

1. How do you view the details for my account balance(s)?
   
   Select the Blue Triangle next to a dollar amount in a report. A detail screen will appear showing the balance details for that particular transaction.
   

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2. How do I export a report to Excel?
   
   Click on the Export link in the Actions box. Select the file format as Excel, then select Export. A download box will appear asking whether you wish to Open or Save the file. Click on the Open button. When you open the file, a security warning regarding macros will display. Select the Enable Macros button. The report will now display in Excel and can be saved onto your desktop. If you select Disable Macros the report will display without any formatting in Excel.
   

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Error Messages

1. What does the error message "ORA 28000 - account is locked" mean and how do I fix it?
   
   This error means that you have tried more than 3 times to create a connection to Discoverer and the system locked you out. Please contact the Help Desk at 732-445-2100 for further assistance.



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