5.3 File System Paths Selector

5.3.1 Overview

File Reporter 4.1 introduces a File System Paths selector for use with Custom Query reports.

This feature provides the following benefits for Custom Query report design:

An easy-to-use approach for changing target paths for complex Custom Queries.
A convenient interface for adding or changing target paths for existing Custom Queries without needing to modify any SQL text.
A powerful interface for advanced report users to create manageable report templates for Data Owners.

Add: Click to add selected path from the tree list to the target paths list.

Remove: Click to remove a path from the target paths list.

File System: Select to include File System scan paths in the tree list.

Permissions: Select to include Permissions scan paths in the tree list.

Save: Click to save the changes made to the target paths list.

Cancel: Click to cancel any current edits.

5.3.2 Assigning Paths to a Report Definition

To assign one or more file system paths to a Custom Query report definition:

Click the File System Paths ribbon item to open the File System Target Paths dialog box.

This ribbon item may be found in the following locations:
- The Edit ribbon page group of the Main form containing the Custom Query Reports list.
- The Parameters ribbon page group of the Query Editor form.
- The Report Data ribbon page group of the Report Layout Designer form.
Select one or more target paths by using one of the following methods:
- Double-click a path entry in the tree list on the right.
- Select (highlight) one or more path entries in the tree list on the right then click Add in the toolbar on the left.
- Drag-and-drop one or more selected path entries from the tree list on the right into the selected paths list on the left.
Click Save.

5.3.3 Removing Paths from a Report Definition

To remove one or more assign File System paths from a Custom Query Report definition:

Open the File System Target Paths dialog box.

For details, see Step 1 in Section 5.3.2, Assigning Paths to a Report Definition.
Select the paths to remove in the selected path list on the left.

To select a path to remove, select (highlight) the entries for selection then click an associated check box.
Click Remove to remove the selected items from the paths list.
Click Save.

5.3.4 Scan Types

Understanding Scan Types

The File System and Permissions columns in the paths tree list indicate whether the associated path is currently available as a File System metadata scan entry or a Permissions scan entry.

The paths tree list is populated from data obtained from the most recent File System or Permissions scans. If a share or path is not visible in the tree list, a new File System or Permissions scan must be performed before that path will appear.

Note that the path indicator does not determine the type of Custom Query itself, but rather provides feedback indicating which scan data is currently available. Depending on the nature of the Custom Query, one or both scan types may be desired.

Filter by Scan Type

If a particular Custom Query is only defined around data collected solely from a File System or Permissions scan, it may be useful to filter the paths tree list by that scan type.

By default, both scan types are enabled and paths from the latest scans of both types are displayed.

To filter by a specific scan type, simply deselect the scan type you wish to hide. For example, to only display paths from current Permissions scans:

Deselect the File System check box at the top of the paths tree list.
Verify the Permissions check box remains selected.

5.3.5 Understanding the Relation to Custom Queries

File System Target Paths provides a list of target paths for the associated Custom Query. How the Custom Query makes use of these paths is determined by the associated SQL queries themselves.

During execution of a Custom Query within the tools provided by File Reporter, a temporary table is injected into the SQL session providing the select paths along with metadata which the SQL query can make use of for shaping the query results based on those paths.

For more information on File System Target Paths injection with Custom Query reports, see File System Target Paths in the File Reporter 4.1 Custom Query Guide.