Count refused from Y axis of line graph because it's not a measure

[Invisi]

We have recently migrated to Cognos Analytics 11.1. Now I want to create a line graph where the X axis is year-month and the Y axis is a count of some idea. This count is done with the count function. When I drag this data item to the Y axis area of the ling ghahp I get an error: "Only a measure or a single value can be inserted in the selected location." A count produces a measure, so what am I missing that this doesn't work?

[bus_pass_man]

What's the usage of the query item?

[Invisi]

What is usage and how can I see or modify it? The attributes of the data item that I see are: type, name, label, expression, detail aggregation, summary aggregation, pre-sort, detail, calculation intersection and solve order.

[bus_pass_man]

I googled "cognos usage" and got this:

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSEP7J_11.1.0/com.ibm.swg.ba.cognos.ug_fm.doc/c_usage_property.html

If you select a query item in the metadata tree and view the properties you will see that one of the properties is usage.  The icon usually tells you the usage too.


Why don't you make things easier on yourself and create the calculation in your modelling tool (fm or CA modeller).  That way, you have some additional degree of control over things and your calculation can be used in any report that you want, without you needing to recreate it, which could possibly cause problems if you don't quite create the expression in the same way in all of the reports.  Also, power users will be able to use it.

You can force the calculation which you've created in your query by setting the detail aggregation to an explicit aggregation but that is second best.

[Invisi]

Thank you for replying. Please note this is the first time ever I work with 11.1 and that the interface is again significantly different from 11.0. This means that things you mention can be unfamiliar for me.

You talk about the 'metadata tree'. Where should I see it? If I click on 'report' in the breadcrumbs (where they feel they have to put all various elements like pages, queries, variables), I see no metadata.

I will talk with our main Cognos developer in this project of setting count as default aggregation for this element. I think it is sparsely used for its use as identifier, so count should be acceptable.

I change the detail aggregation to count and then I get some totally vague error... To be continued.

[Joe_Bushong]

I am a new Cognos user experiencing the same issue. How did you resolve it?

11.1 R7

created a query with a count field
trying to use the count field in a chart as a Size (pie chart) or a Length (bar chart)
Getting the error message "Only a measure or a single value can be inserted in the selected location."

It is probably something simple that I am overlooking but i do not know what it is...

Thank you

[MFGF]

I am a new Cognos user experiencing the same issue. How did you resolve it?

11.1 R7

created a query with a count field
trying to use the count field in a chart as a Size (pie chart) or a Length (bar chart)
Getting the error message "Only a measure or a single value can be inserted in the selected location."

It is probably something simple that I am overlooking but i do not know what it is...

Thank you

Hi,

Bus Pass Man mentioned this briefly above. Open the Properties pane and select your count field so you can see its properties. Go to the Detail Aggregation property and set it to something explicit such as Total.

Cheers!

MF.