Changing data source

[engeeaitch]

Hi. I have a report containing 6 pages of charts, which I have spent a lot of time configuring, and which is working well. All the charts take data from a Blend, which in turn uses four reusable data sources taken from a Google Sheet.

I want to copy the report and connect it to test data, so that I can fully test all the cases and any potential changes in the future. I have created reusable data sources from the test data. I have copied the report and edited the Blend by replacing each of the tables with the reusable test data source. However, my reports are blank. If I create a table using the data source directly, I can see the data, and if I create a new Blend using the test data source, I can see the data. I don't want to create new blend, as this will mean I have to redo all of my reports (and the many calculated fields and filters).

Am I doing something wrong? Is there a better way of doing what I want?

Many thanks for any help.

[lauratilton]

You might consider using an embedded data source instead. That way, when you copy the report, all the calculated fields, blends, etc. come along for the ride BUT you can then change the data going into the embedded Data Source (do this AFTER you copy the report, not as part of the copying process) without affecting the original report.

[engeeaitch]

That sounds good - but I think it's too late as I don't think you can turn a re-usable source into an embedded one?

[lauratilton]

You can make an embedded version of a data source by duplicating it from the Manage added resources page.

[engeeaitch · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the suggestion - I tried this, but ended up with the same problem - after I had edited the connection and selected the new data source, my reports were blank.  It's as if reports that use data from a Blend don't work after the source is changed.

However, I have had success with the following:

Create a reusable data source from the Home screen.

Open the report and then click on Make a copy.  As part of the copy process, there is a prompt to select a New data source - the default is the existing data source.  Change this to point to the new reusable data source.