Using more than one external data source

[manita]

Is there a way to use more than one external data source in a report? If yes, how?

[Michael75]

I also needed to know the answer to this question, for a current project. My feeling was that it was not possible, as I see no way in the wizard to achieve it. I did some research, and came up with a confirmation:

Restrictions to Adding External Data to Reporting

    The maximum file size that a user can import is 2.5 MB, with a maximum of 20,000 rows. A user can import a maximum of one external datasource file per package.

Source: https://www.ironsidegroup.com/2013/03/05/managing-external-data-in-cognos-workspace-advanced/

My next idea was to recover the published package, which would presumably include both my original package, and my first external data source (I used MotioPI for this, but there are other techniques that work), and then use this as a starting point for adding a second external data source. But the recovered package contains no reference to my first external data source
EDIT But the recovered package only contains the external data source, not the package which was my starting point.

I've abandoned my attempts for now, but if anbody else is able to come up with some ideas, that would be great  :)

[manita]

Thank you for your answer. I hope someone else can help us, but after your reply my hopes are not very high...

[MFGF]

Is there a way to use more than one external data source in a report? If yes, how?

Yes :)

First you need to make sure that the governors for your original package allow this. By default, the "Maximum personal data sources that can be merged with a model" governor is set to 1. It needs to be set to a higher number (and your original package republished) to be able to add multiple data sources.

You can then add as many data sources as the governor allows. You will probably need to bring each data source into a separate query in your report then add a join between them into a third query your reporting object (list/crosstab/chart etc) is based on.

Cheers!

MF.

[Michael75]

@ MF

Full marks to you, again! I really wasn't expecting that response, having been into the FM governors on quite a few occasions without even noticing that one, nor the two related to it.

Thx
Michael