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This technique will allow users to enter a comma-separated string of multiple values that can be passed to a report parameter as a list of multiple items (essentially behaving as a mult-select prompt.) Text box prompts in IBM Cognos ReportNet (CRN) and Cognos 8 (C8) have a special 'Multi-Select' mode that allows users to enter multiple values to pass to a parameter in a report. To use a multi-select text box prompt, a user has to enter a value and hit an 'Insert' button to take a just-entered value and add it to a list of items that will be passed to the report parameter. In some cases, a more efficient way to pass multiple text strings to a parameter in a report is to enter comma separated values such as, "Camping Equipment, Mountaineering Equipment, Golf Equipment" rather than entering each value and hitting the "Insert" button in a multi-select text box prompt. There is no direct way to have a text box prompt handle a comma-separated value st

Use a filter expression to parse out the values. For example, a report has a prompt with parameter ?ParamZipCode? and is used to filter query item [Zip Code] The filter expression would be as follows: cast([Zip Code],varchar(200)) in ( #csv ( split(' ', split(',', split(' ,', split(' , ', split(', ', prompt('paramZipCode','token') ) ) ) ) ) ) # ) This filter converts the Zip Code to text and looks for the value IN a list of comma separated values. Due to the nature of the macro functions, the result of the function is a series of string elements. The cast function applied to a numeric field ensures that the appropriate data types are being used within the filter expression. The split() macro functions are in place to handle additional white space that users may enter between the comma-delimited values.

http://public.dhe.ibm.com/software/data/sw-library/cognos/demos/od_cog_ibm_cognos_bi_for_mobile_workforce_portfolio/index.html

  Steve Jobs, 1955 - 2011 "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma -- which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice." 

This article provides you information about how one can add a custom message for all Cognos users on Cognos Connection Page Solution 1 : Add the message on the title bar of Cognos Connection. Refer point 1 in image attached. Steps : a. Open <c8_install>webcontent/skins/<skin_used>/shared/banner.css b. find ".mainHeader1middle" c. Modify content as per requirement. Example : .mainHeader1Middle { width:100%; background-image: url(../shared/images/Message.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; } Solution 2 : Add the message on the title bar of table. Refer point 2 in image attached. Steps : a. Open <c8_install>webcontent/skins/<skin_used>/portal/default.css b. find ".tableHeader" c. Modify content as per requirement. Example : .tableHeader { background-color: #ffffff; background-image: url(images/Message.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; } Please refer to attached snapshot for the location where the message would be