AX2230
Using file processing, you can automatically refresh a file and then perform various actions on it. The file can be processed "as is," or you can leverage multipass processing to cycle through each element of a dimension or grouping, with an appropriate data filter automatically applied to each pass.
File processing can be used to perform the following actions:
- Save snapshot of file: Create a snapshot copy of a spreadsheet-based file, and then save and/or email it.
- Save snapshot of form: Create a snapshot copy of a form-enabled file, and then save and/or email it.
- Print: Print the current file, using one or more print views.
- Export to delimited text file: Export data in the current file to a delimited text file, and then save and/or email it.
- Save data: Perform a save-to-database from the current file.
- Alerts: Process alert conditions defined in the file.
- File collect: Combine multiple spreadsheet files into a single file, and then save and/or email it.
- Batch: Perform file processing on multiple files in a batch process, including the ability to override certain file processing settings for the file.
Although all of these activities are performed using the file processing feature, the setup and requirements differ for each processing type. In all cases, the file that you want to process must have a File Processing Control Sheet (Control_FileProcessing) with a selected processing type. Some processing types then require additional file processing settings (such as snapshot and export), while other types require an additional control sheet where the settings specific to that operation are defined (such as file collect and batch).
One common use for file processing is report distribution, to automatically deliver report files out to multiple recipients. This frequently involves using several different features of file processing, for example:
- Multiple reports configured for snapshot file processing, and using multipass processing. For example, an income statement processed by department, region, or VP, and creating a separate snapshot file for each element.
- A report configured for file collect, to collect all of the snapshots into targeted report packages, including adding things like cover sheets and other supporting information. These packages could be saved to designated file locations and/or emailed to the appropriate recipients.
- A report configured for batch processing to run everything at once. For example, the batch would contain an entry for each report configured for snapshot processing, and then finish with the file collect report.
File processing is set up on a per file basis. File processing can be set up on any Axiom file, but the primary use case is in reports.
Once the file has been configured to use file processing, you can process it by using File Output > File Processing. From this menu, you can choose to Process File or Process File Multipass. File processing can also be performed via Scheduler, and from a task pane.
