Top 25+ OBIEE Interview Questions & Answers – UPDATED

Last updated on 20th Jun 2020, Blog, Interview Questions

OBIEE, which stands for Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition, is a comprehensive business intelligence (BI) and analytics platform developed by Oracle Corporation. It provides a suite of tools and services for collecting, storing, analyzing, and presenting data to help organizations make informed business decisions.

1. What is OBIEE?

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OBIEE stands for an Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition, which is business intelligence platform that provides the  range of reporting and analytics capabilities to an  organizations.

2. What are the main features of OBIEE?

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•  Hierarchy Drilling
• Graphical Reporting (Charts, Pivots, Gauges, )
• Ad Hoc Analysis
• Scheduled Report Generation
• Global support and development capability

3. What are the different components of OBIEE?

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The different components of the OBIEE include the BI Server, Presentation Server, and BI Administration Tool.

4. Distinguish Between OBIEE and Tableau

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OBIEE :It is BI & Reporting tool. It is high in cost & has a standard pricing’s. For this finalized BI solutions is implemented It is less in the  visualization. It should be used after training session on it.

Tableau: It is data visualization tool. It is less in cost for a smaller enterprise and high for a the large enterprise. It is mostly used for POC reporting. It has plenty of the visualizations. It is easy for a beginner as it is a drag & drop functionality

5. What is the dashboard in OBIEE?

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A dashboard is the  visual representation of data that provides  the users with overview of key metrics and performance indicators.

6. What is BI Server in OBIEE?

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The BI Server is responsible for managing and storing a metadata, executing queries, and delivering data to Presentation Server.

7. Distinguish difference between logical column and a physical column

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Logical Column: A logical column represents a piece of data in a database table based on its meaning and purpose. It is a conceptual representation of data attributes and their relationships.

Physical Column: A physical column, on the other hand, represents the actual storage structure of data in a database table. It deals with how data is stored on disk or in memory, including data types, storage formats, and indexing mechanisms.

8. Mention various layers in repository of OBIEE 11g?

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•  Physical layer
•  Mapping layer
• Model of Business and Presentation layer

9. What is the dimension table in OBIEE?

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A dimension table is the  table in data warehouse that provides  an additional context and descriptive attributes to data in the fact table.

10. Define aggregate table in OBIEE

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An aggregate table is the  pre-calculated summary table that contains an aggregated data, like  total sales by region, to improve query performance.

11. Define the term Authentic in OBIEE and mention a kinds of authentication

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Authentication refers to a process of confirming validity of a user or entity, which can be aided by the  system that provides confirmation.

• An Operating system authentication
• Database authentication
• Authentication of External table
• Authentication of LDAP

12. Explain repository in OBIEE

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Repository is a critical component of the system that plays a central role in managing and organizing metadata for reporting and analysis. The repository, often referred to as the “RPD” (Repository Metadata File), is a file-based data model that contains metadata definitions for the various components and layers of an OBIEE system.

13. Define subject area in OBIEE

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Subject area is a logical grouping or subset of data tables, columns, and calculations from one or more data sources. Subject areas are designed to simplify and organize data for reporting and analysis purposes, making it easier for business users to access and work with data relevant to their specific needs.

14. How can I extract SQL from OBIEE for reports?

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There are several methods available for an extracting SQL, including changing request and clicking on “Advanced” to the  access XML code and the actual SQL, using the Catalog Manager to create report and saving SQL to a physical path on PC, enabling log level 2 in OBIEE 11g Administration Tool and accessing the NQ Query.log in BI_HOME/OracleBI/Server/Logs to find SQL for a particular user, or viewing SQL by navigating to Administration -> Manage Sessions -> View SQL.

15. Explain BI Administration Tool in OBIEE

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The BI Administration Tool in OBIEE is a critical utility used for managing the metadata layer of an organization’s business intelligence environment. It allows administrators and developers to design, build, and maintain the metadata repository, which serves as the foundation for OBIEE reports, dashboards, and analytics. 

16. Distinguish difference between connection pool and a session pool

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Connection Pool	Session Pool
A connection pool is a mechanism for efficiently managing and reusing database connections.	A session pool, on the other hand, is primarily used for managing user sessions in an application.
In a connection pool, a set of database connections is created and maintained in advance.	In a session pool, each user session or client session is associated with a specific database connection.

17. Explain different types of variables in OBIEE 11g

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Repository variables: Repository variables are designed to utilized throughout  an  entire repository.   A System variables utilize NQ_SESSION.

Session variables:  Session variables, on  other hand, are divided into two types: system variables and non-system variables. Non-system variables are encompass tools are user-defined filters.

18. What is the session variable in OBIEE?

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A session variable is the  variable that is specific to a user session and can be used to save information, such as user preferences or a filters.

19. Define Presentation Server in OBIEE

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Presentation Server is a key component responsible for managing the user interface and delivering reports, dashboards, and analytical content to end-users. The Presentation Server is part of the three-tier architecture of OBIEE, which also includes the Oracle BI Server and the Oracle BI Repository.

20. What are the different layers of OBIEE 11g Repository?

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•  Mapping Layer.
•  Presentation Layer.
•  Physical Layer.
•  Business Model.

21. What does drill-down report in OBIEE?

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A drill-down report is a report that allows the  users to navigate from high-level summary to a more detailed level of data.

22. Define Oracle BI Scheduler in OBIEE

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Oracle BI Scheduler is a component responsible for managing and scheduling various tasks related to reporting, data delivery, and other automated processes. It plays a critical role in automating and orchestrating these tasks within the OBIEE environment.

23. What is KPI in OBIEE?

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A KPI, or Key Performance Indicator, is metric that measures a performance of a specific aspect of business, such as sales or a  customer satisfaction.

24. What is Authentication? How many types of authentication?

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Authentication is a process through which system confirms a  validity of a user or entity.Several types of an authentication are available, including  the operating system authentication, external table authentication, database authentication, and LDAP authentication.

25. What is calculation in OBIEE?

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A calculation is the  formula that is used to derive a new data from existing data in  the report or analysis.

26. What are the main components of OBIEE?

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• Oracle BI Server (OBIS)
• Oracle BI Presentation Services (BIPS)
• Oracle BI Scheduler
• Oracle BI Repository (RPD)
• Oracle BI Answers and Dashboards

27. What is the difference between report and an analysis in OBIEE?

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A report is the  pre-built template that displays data in the  specific format, while an analysis is more flexible tool that allows the users to manipulate and analyze data in a real-time.

28. What are the different types of filters in OBIEE?

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The different types of filters in the  OBIEE include the  simple filters, compound filters, and hierarchical filters.

29. Define dashboard prompt in OBIEE

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A dashboard prompt is the  prompt that is used to filter a data across the  multiple dashboard pages or reports.

30. What is the end to end lifecycle of OBIEE?

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The end-to-end lifecycle of Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE) involves several stages, beginning with data source integration and ETL processes, followed by data modeling and metadata development in the repository. Next, report and dashboard design takes place in the Presentation Layer, leading to user testing and deployment.

31. Define Action Framework in OBIEE

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The Action Framework is used to create an interactive reports and analyses that allow the users to take action on data, such as sending an email or navigating to a various  report.

32. Define BI Publisher in OBIEE

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The BI Publisher is the  reporting tool that is used to create and publish the pixel-perfect reports, such as invoices or financial statements.

33. What is OBIEE Catalog Manager?

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OBIEE Catalog Manager is a tool provided by Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE) for managing and organizing the various objects and assets within the OBIEE catalog. The OBIEE catalog is a central repository where users can store and organize reports, dashboards, analyses, and other BI artifacts created in OBIEE.

34. Explain how OBIEE architecture works

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• Users make a requests, which are then sent to Presentation Server.
• The Presentation Server takes request and transforms it into the logical SQL before sending it to BI server.
• The BI server subsequently transforms logical SQL into the physical SQL and sends it to database.
• The result is sent back to  user along the same path it initially took.

35. Define group in OBIEE

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A group is the  collection of users or roles that share a common permissions and access levels in OBIEE.

36. Define OBIEE Security Model

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The OBIEE Security Model is used to explain and manage user access to the  data and functionality in OBIEE.

37. Define role in OBIEE

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Role is a set of permissions and privileges that determines what a user or group of users can do within the OBIEE environment. Roles are a fundamental component of OBIEE’s security model and are used to control access to various resources, such as reports, dashboards, data, and administrative functions.

38. What is privilege in OBIEE?

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A privilege is the  specific permission that allows a user to perform specific action or access a specific piece of data in  the OBIEE.

39. What is the data source in OBIEE?

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Data source refers to the location or database where the raw data used for reporting and analysis is stored. OBIEE connects to one or more data sources to retrieve, transform, and present data to users through reports, dashboards, and analyses.

40. What is the Oracle BI Office Plug-In?

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The Oracle BI Office Plug-In is plug-in for a Microsoft Office applications that allows the users to access and analyze OBIEE data directly from within their Office applications.

41. What is the repository variable in OBIEE?

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A repository variable is the  variable that is used to store the  information used across the multiple reports and analyses in OBIEE.

42. Explain Oracle BI Mobile App Designer

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The Oracle BI Mobile App Designer is the  tool that is used to create and design the mobile applications that are optimized for accessing and analysing data from OBIEE.

43. Explain pivot table in OBIEE.

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A pivot table is the  table that summarizes a data by aggregating and grouping the  data across multiple dimensions.

44. How do create a report in OBIEE?

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To create a report in OBIEE, need to select the appropriate subject area, choose data elements and filters, and choose the appropriate report format and layout.

45. How do you add a filter to a report in OBIEE?

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To add a filter to report in OBIEE, can either use the filter pane or filter bar. In the filter pane can select the appropriate filter type and specify the filter criteria. In  filter bar, can add a filter by selecting an  appropriate column and then selecting a filter criteria.

46. How to create a dashboard in OBIEE?

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Log In: Log in to the OBIEE web interface using your credentials.

Open Dashboard Builder: Navigate to the “Catalog” section and locate the folder where you want to create the dashboard. Click “New” and select “Dashboard.”

Add Dashboard Pages: Start by adding one or more dashboard pages to your dashboard. These pages will hold your content.

Add Content: Within each page, you can add content like reports, charts, and text views.

47. How do add a prompt to a dashboard in OBIEE?

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1. Open the dashboard in Dashboard Builder.
2. Drag and drop the “Prompt” object onto the dashboard page where you want to add it.
3. Configure the prompt by specifying the data source, criteria, and display options to enable users to interact with the data.

48. How to create a KPI in OBIEE?

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1.Access the KPI creation interface within the OBIEE web interface.

2.Define the KPI by specifying the measure, dimension, and aggregation method, and set the threshold values for performance evaluation.

3.Save and publish the KPI for use in reports, dashboards, and analyses.

49. How do create a scorecard in OBIEE?

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1. Access the Scorecard creation interface in OBIEE.
2. Define scorecard objectives, metrics, and KPIs, specifying how each element contributes to the overall score.
3. Customize the scorecard layout and appearance, then save and publish it for use in dashboards and analyses.

50. Define Write-Back in OBIEE

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Write-Back in Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE) refers to the functionality that allows users to update and write data back to a data source, typically a database, from within an OBIEE report or dashboard. This feature is used when users need to make data corrections, annotations, or additions directly through the OBIEE interface and have those changes reflected in the underlying data source.

51. What is the purpose of the OBIEE Administration Tool?

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The OBIEE Administration Tool is used to create and manage OBIEE repository, including defining a logical relationships between the data sources and the data warehouse.

52. Explain the term star schema in OBIEE

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A star schema is the  data modeling technique that organizes a data into a fact table surrounded by a dimension tables, forming star-like structure.

53. What is the snowflake schema in OBIEE?

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A snowflake schema is the  data modeling technique that extends athe star schema by normalizing dimension tables, resulting in more complex, but more flexible structure.

54. What is logical table source in OBIEE?

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A logical table source is the  definition of mapping and transformation of data from the  physical data source to logical data model in OBIEE.

55. What is Surrogate key in OBIEE?

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Surrogate key is a database field or attribute that is used as a unique identifier for a dimension or fact table in a data warehouse or data mart. Surrogate keys are typically generated by the data warehousing system and have no business meaning or significance.

56. Define hierarchy in OBIEE.

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A hierarchy in OBIEE is the  logical grouping of related columns in dimension table, defining a levels of detail in dimension. For example, a time hierarchy can include the  levels like  year, quarter, month, and day.

57. What is the calculated column in OBIEE?

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A calculated column in OBIEE is the  column that is derived from a one or more existing columns using the  formula or expression, providing an additional insight or analysis.

58. What is the filter expression in OBIEE?

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A filter expression in OBIEE is the  logical statement that explains the conditions for selecting data in report or analysis, based on one or more columns or measures.

59. What is the presentation variable in OBIEE?

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A presentation variable in OBIEE is the  variable that is created and used within the  specific report or analysis, allowing for a dynamic customization of the report based on the user inputs or other variables.

60. Define JDK.

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JDK stands for “Java Development Kit.” It is a software package and a set of tools used for developing Java applications. JDK includes a compiler, debugger, libraries, and various utilities that are essential for Java software development.

61. Why do we need JDK?

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1. Developing Java Applications
2. Java APIs and Libraries
3. Cross-Platform Compatibility
4. Standardization
5. Testing and Debugging       

62. What is the data model in OBIEE?

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A data model in OBIEE is the logical representation of a data sources and metadata used by BI system, defining relationships between the data elements and the structure of a data warehouse.

63. What is the catalog in OBIEE?

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A catalog in OBIEE is a collection of the reports, analyses, dashboards, and the other objects that are organized and stored in  BI Presentation Server, providing access to users based on permissions and privileges.

64. What does the report level filter in OBIEE?

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A report level filter in OBIEE is the  filter that is applied to the  specific report, allowing for the more focused analysis of the data.

65. What is session level filter in OBIEE?

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Annotations in Angular are used for creating the annotation array. They are metadata set on a class that is used to reflect Metadata library.

66. What is BI Presentation Server in OBIEE?

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The BI Presentation Server in OBIEE is responsible for delivering BI content to  end-user, providing the  user-friendly interface for accessing and interacting with  data.

67. Distinguish difference between a global filter and a dashboard prompt in OBIEE

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Global Filter	Dashboard Prompt
A global filter applies to all the reports and views on a dashboard.	A dashboard prompt is a user interface component that allows individual users to interactively select filter criteria.
When a global filter is set, it affects all the content displayed on the dashboard, ensuring consistency in data filtering.	Dashboard prompts are employed when you want to give users the flexibility to choose filter values based on their preferences.

68. Define Materialized view.

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A relational database management system (RDBMS) database item known as a materialized view, often referred to as a materialized query table or snapshot, is a database object that holds the results of a precomputed database query.

69. Explain scorecard in OBIEE.

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A scorecard in OBIEE is the  type of dashboard that is used to track the key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics, providing the  visual representation of performance against targets.

70. What is the gauge in OBIEE?

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A gauge in OBIEE is the  type of dashboard element that is used to display the  single value or metric, typically with the  visual indicator of how that value compares to target or threshold.

71. What is the dimension in OBIEE?

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A dimension in OBIEE is a way of organizing and categorizing a data, typically used to group the related information and provide a context for analysis.

72. What is the fact table in OBIEE?

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A fact table in OBIEE is a table in the  data warehouse that contains a quantitative data,  are sales figures or inventory levels, that can be analyzed and aggregated across the multiple dimensions.

73. What is the bridge table in OBIEE?

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A bridge table in OBIEE is the  table that is used to link two or more fact tables in the  data warehouse, allowing for analysis across the multiple dimensions and data sources.

74. What is level-based measure in OBIEE?

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A level-based measure in OBIEE is the  measure that is defined at specific level in a hierarchy, allowing for the  consistent analysis of data across the  different levels of granularity.

75. Define parent-child hierarchy in OBIEE

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A parent-child hierarchy in OBIEE is the  type of hierarchy where each member has single parent and multiple children, allowing for a more flexible and dynamic analysis of data.

76. What is the ragged hierarchy in OBIEE?

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A ragged hierarchy in OBIEE is the  type of hierarchy where some members have the  no parent or multiple parents, resulting in uneven or non-uniform structure.

77. What is the level in OBIEE?

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A level in OBIEE is the  specific point in a hierarchy, representing level of granularity or detail in the data.

78. Define drill path in OBIEE.

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A drill path in OBIEE is sequence of steps that user follows to navigate from a one level of detail to the another in a report or analysis.

79. What does drill-across report in OBIEE?

A drill-across report in OBIEE is the  report that allows the users to navigate across the  multiple data sources or data marts to access related data.

80. Explain hierarchical column in OBIEE.

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A hierarchical column in OBIEE is the  column in a report or analysis that is part of hierarchical structure, allowing for a drill-down and analysis at the  multiple levels of granularity.

81. What is variable in OBIEE?

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A variable in OBIEE is the  parameter or placeholder that can be used in the  reports, analyses, and the other content, allowing fora  dynamic data selection and manipulation.

82. Define logical SQL query in OBIEE.

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A logical SQL query in OBIEE is the  query that is generated by OBIEE server based on the user requests, rather than being a written directly by users.

83. Explain physical SQL query in OBIEE.

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A physical SQL query in OBIEE is the  query that is written directly by the users or developers, typically used to access a data from specific data source or database.

84. What is join in OBIEE?

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A join in OBIEE is the  method of combining a data from multiple tables or data sources based on the  common field or key.

85. What is union in OBIEE?

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A union in OBIEE is a method of combining a data from multiple tables or data sources without using the  common field or key, allowing for the analysis and aggregation across the different data sources.

86. Define calculated field in OBIEE.

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A calculated field in OBIEE is the  field that is generated by applying the  specific formula or calculation to existing data, allowing for a more complex analysis and reporting.

87. What is conditional formatting in OBIEE?

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A conditional formatting in OBIEE is the  way of highlighting or emphasizing a specific data points in the report or analysis based on a specific criteria or conditions.

88. How do create a repository in OBIEE?

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To create a repository in OBIEE, can use the Administration Tool to create new repository, explain metadata, and import data.

89. What is the prompt in OBIEE?

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A prompt in OBIEE is a filter that allows the  users to specify a values they want to use when running the  report or dashboard.

90. How do you create a measure in OBIEE?

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To create a measure in OBIEE, can use the Administration Tool to explain a column as a measure and specify its aggregation rule.

91. What is the presentation catalog in OBIEE?

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A presentation catalog in OBIEE is the collection of reports, dashboards, and the other objects that are organized into the folders and can be accessed by users.

92. How do you create a user in OBIEE?

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To create a user in OBIEE, can use the Administration Tool to explain the user and their permissions, or can use the User Manager in a web interface.

93. How do you schedule a report in OBIEE?

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To schedule a report in OBIEE, can use the job manager to specify a report, the format, and schedule for delivery.

94. What does pipeline mean?

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A pipeline refers to set of stages involved in the particular process, such as valuation, contract management, economics, and so on. It isthe series of interconnected steps that facilitate a flow of data or tasks in the particular workflow.

95. Explain query repository tool.

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The query repository tool is the utility within the OBIEE/Seibel Admin tool that is used to find the metadata of the repository. This tool enables the users to explore relationships between the metadata objects, such as identifying which columns in presentation layer map to which tables in a physical layer. Additionally, query repository tool allows the users to search for a specific metadata objects based on name, type, or other criteria.