Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Need to let users filter report data by selecting nodes in a hierarchical tree - with the ability to search through it? This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to build a report using the Searchable Tree Prompt custom control in IBM Cognos Analytics, from a blank template through to a fully working hierarchical filter.
Using the Great Outdoors Sales data source as an example, this video walks through every configuration step - dataset setup, hierarchy levels, auto-generated parameters, detail filters, and the Apply button - so you can replicate this pattern in your own reports.
What You'll Learn:
• What the Searchable Tree Prompt custom control is and what it does in Cognos Analytics
• Where to find working sample reports under Team Content - Samples - By Feature (both OLAP and data module versions)
• How to create a blank report, add a data source, and insert a two-column table layout
• How to drag the Searchable Tree Prompt from the Authored Controls toolbox into a block
• How to add a dataset and configure hierarchy levels in correct parent-to-child order (e.g. Sales Region, Branch, Employee)
• How automatically generated parameters (PSalesRegion, PBranch, PEmployee) work and how to add detail filters for each
• How to set filter usage to Optional to avoid triggering a separate prompt page
• How to assign default values to parameters so the report runs without requiring a selection
• How to add a Reprompt button labelled Apply to trigger filtering on demand
• How end users can expand, collapse, search, and select nodes - then click Apply to filter the report output
If this video helped you, give it a like and subscribe for more Cognos Analytics reporting tutorials. Check the channel for more tips on custom controls, prompts, and report authoring.
🔗 IBM Cognos Analytics
Learn more: ibm.com/products/cognos-analytics
Documentation:
• Custom controls in Cognos Analytics: ibm.com/docs/en/cognos-analytics/12.1.x?topic=data-using-search-select-prompt-control
#IBMCognos #CognosAnalytics #BusinessIntelligence #ReportAuthoring #DataAnalytics
Need to let users filter report data by selecting nodes in a hierarchical tree - with the ability to search through it? This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to build a report using the Searchable Tree Prompt custom control in IBM Cognos Analytics, from a blank template through to a fully working hierarchical filter.
Using the Great Outdoors Sales data source as an example, this video walks through every configuration step - dataset setup, hierarchy levels, auto-generated parameters, detail filters, and the Apply button - so you can replicate this pattern in your own reports.
What You'll Learn:
• What the Searchable Tree Prompt custom control is and what it does in Cognos Analytics
• Where to find working sample reports under Team Content - Samples - By Feature (both OLAP and data module versions)
• How to create a blank report, add a data source, and insert a two-column table layout
• How to drag the Searchable Tree Prompt from the Authored Controls toolbox into a block
• How to add a dataset and configure hierarchy levels in correct parent-to-child order (e.g. Sales Region, Branch, Employee)
• How automatically generated parameters (PSalesRegion, PBranch, PEmployee) work and how to add detail filters for each
• How to set filter usage to Optional to avoid triggering a separate prompt page
• How to assign default values to parameters so the report runs without requiring a selection
• How to add a Reprompt button labelled Apply to trigger filtering on demand
• How end users can expand, collapse, search, and select nodes - then click Apply to filter the report output
If this video helped you, give it a like and subscribe for more Cognos Analytics reporting tutorials. Check the channel for more tips on custom controls, prompts, and report authoring.
🔗 IBM Cognos Analytics
Learn more: ibm.com/products/cognos-analytics
Documentation:
• Custom controls in Cognos Analytics: ibm.com/docs/en/cognos-analytics/12.1.x?topic=data-using-search-select-prompt-control
#IBMCognos #CognosAnalytics #BusinessIntelligence #ReportAuthoring #DataAnalytics
