A master-detail relationship is the core feature for creating synchronized interactivity in Cognos Analytics dashboards. It allows a selection in one visualization (the master) to automatically filter and highlight the data in other visualizations (the details), providing a cohesive and interactive user experience without manual coding.

The ‘Relative Time’ capability, often accessed through the ‘Time Series’ menu when a date item is selected, is designed specifically for this purpose. It allows you to automatically generate comparisons like ‘Previous Period’, ‘Year Ago’, etc., without writing complex date logic, making it the most efficient and maintainable approach.

If a numeric formatting (like percentage) is applied but shows unexpected decimal values, the issue often lies in the aggregation property. For a ratio like Profit Margin, the default aggregation (like Sum) is wrong. You must set the aggregation property to ‘Calculated’ so Cognos applies the percentage format to the result of the calculation, not to a sum of percentages.

Query Federation is the core capability that allows Cognos Analytics to integrate and query data from multiple, disparate sources (like a cloud warehouse and a local file) in a single data module or report. It intelligently pushes queries to each source and blends the results, creating a unified virtual view for the business user.

Creating a snapshot (or data cache) materializes the results of the complex queries at scheduled intervals. This means the dashboard renders instantly from the cached data for all users, eliminating the performance hit of running the heavy joins and calculations on-the-fly during each visit.

A Repeater Table is specifically designed for dynamic, parameter-driven layouts. It repeats a defined table structure (rows and columns) for each member of a chosen data item. This makes it the perfect tool for creating reports where the axis of analysis (like the columns) needs to change based on user input.

The correct method is to create the calculated data item (e.g., ‘Top Product Name’) in the underlying data module or query. Then, in the dashboard, you can drag that specific data item from the source pane onto the canvas. It will render as a dynamic text value that updates with the data.

The cleanest approach is to use a single report with multiple queries. Insert a List object for the summary (using a query that aggregates the measures) and place it above the detailed List (using a query that fetches the transaction rows). This keeps the logic separate, maintains performance, and provides a clear layout.

The primary place for business-friendly aliases in a self-service context is directly on the data item within the Cognos Analytics data module. Renaming it here ensures the friendly name (‘Net Invoice Amount’) propagates to all reports, dashboards, and explorations built from that module, insulating users from technical schema names.

A master-detail relationship is the core feature for creating synchronized interactivity in Cognos Analytics dashboards. It allows a selection in one visualization (the master) to automatically filter and highlight the data in other visualizations (the details), providing a cohesive and interactive user experience without manual coding.0