get url for all dashboard in cognos

3 min read 24-01-2025

Meta Description: Discover how to efficiently retrieve URLs for all dashboards within your Cognos environment. This comprehensive guide provides multiple methods, catering to different technical skill levels and Cognos versions. Learn to automate the process, troubleshoot common issues, and optimize your workflow. (158 characters)

Introduction: Accessing Cognos Dashboard URLs

Finding the URLs for all your Cognos dashboards can be a tedious task if done manually. This article presents several approaches to efficiently retrieve these URLs, saving you valuable time and effort. Whether you need them for sharing, embedding, or automation, we've got you covered. We will explore methods suitable for various Cognos versions and technical expertise.

Method 1: Using the Cognos Administration Console (For Experienced Users)

This method requires access to the Cognos Administration Console and some familiarity with its interface. It's the most robust method, providing granular control.

Steps:

Log in: Access the Cognos Administration console using your administrative credentials.
Navigate to Dashboards: Locate the section containing your published dashboards. The exact path might vary based on your Cognos version. Look for folders or content stores where dashboards are stored.
Identify URLs: For each dashboard, inspect its properties. The URL should be listed under properties, often within a "URL" or "Access URL" field. You may need to enable advanced view to see this information.
Export (Optional): If dealing with a large number of dashboards, you might be able to export a list of dashboard metadata, which might include URLs. Consult your Cognos documentation for export options.
Manual Copy: Copy and paste the URLs into a spreadsheet or text file for easy management.

Note: This method is time-consuming for a large number of dashboards.

Method 2: Leveraging Cognos's Reporting Capabilities (Intermediate Users)

If you are comfortable with Cognos report creation, you can leverage its querying capabilities to extract dashboard URLs. This may require some SQL knowledge depending on your Cognos version and database setup.

Steps:

Query the Metadata Database: Cognos stores metadata about its content in a database. You'll need to craft an SQL query that targets the tables storing dashboard information. The specific table names and column names will depend on your Cognos version and database type.
Extract the URLs: The query should extract the relevant URL field for each dashboard.
Create a Report: Use the query results to generate a Cognos report listing all dashboard URLs.
Export: Export the report to a format like CSV for easy access to the URLs.

Example (Conceptual SQL Query): (Adapt to your specific database and Cognos version)

SELECT dashboard_name, dashboard_url
FROM dashboards_table
WHERE content_type = 'Dashboard';

Method 3: Using Third-Party Tools or Scripts (Advanced Users)

For those with programming skills, creating a custom script can automate the process significantly. This approach provides the greatest flexibility and efficiency, particularly when dealing with numerous dashboards.

Considerations:

API Access: Investigate if Cognos offers an API that allows programmatic access to dashboard metadata. This would be the most efficient approach.
Scripting Language: Choose a scripting language (like Python or PowerShell) that you are comfortable with.
Authentication: Implement secure authentication mechanisms to access the Cognos environment.

Example (Conceptual Python Script - requires Cognos API access):

# This is a conceptual example and requires adaptation based on the Cognos API
import cognos_api # Hypothetical Cognos API library

cognos = cognos_api.CognosClient(username, password)
dashboards = cognos.get_dashboards()
for dashboard in dashboards:
    print(dashboard.url)

Method 4: Checking the Cognos Portal Directly (Simplest Method, Limited Scalability)

The simplest approach, though not scalable for many dashboards, involves navigating to your Cognos portal and copying URLs directly from the dashboard's address bar in your web browser after accessing it. This is best suited for a small number of dashboards.

Troubleshooting and Common Issues

Permission Issues: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to access the Cognos Administration Console or the metadata database.
Version Differences: The exact steps and locations of dashboard URLs may vary depending on your Cognos version. Consult your Cognos documentation.
Database Access: For the database query method, you'll need appropriate database credentials and SQL knowledge.
API Limitations: If using an API, understand its limitations and any rate limits.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Method

The optimal method for retrieving Cognos dashboard URLs depends on your technical skills and the number of dashboards. For a small number of dashboards, manual inspection or using the Cognos portal directly may suffice. For larger deployments, leveraging Cognos reporting capabilities or scripting offers far greater efficiency. Remember to always prioritize secure access and consider the potential limitations of each approach. Remember to always consult your Cognos documentation for version-specific instructions.