SplashBI information page

 SplashBI upgrade to version to 5.4
 
We are currently working on an upgrade to SplashBI version 5.4, planned to go live mid-June to avoid impacting year-end. Installation is planned to commence at 2pm on Friday 16th June. As a consequence, the environment will be down until it is made available to users as normal on Monday 19th June. This affects all Splash functionality, including SplashXL and SplashGL.
 
The upgrade will help improve performance, and includes a number of enhancements across reporting, including SplashGL. It will also be the last time that you will need to download the plugin. We are working on finalising the new ‘How-To’ guides and training videos, which will be available to you on the website prior to the upgrade.
 
ACTION REQUIRED - Pre-Upgrade
SplashGL users will need to export their current Distribution Templates in preparation for the upgrade as existing templates will be deleted. The steps to complete this action are detailed here.
 
ACTION REQUIRED - Post-Upgrade
All users must clear their browser cache before using SplashBI version 5.4. If this step is not performed, the SplashBI page won't load correctly. Information on how to do this can be found here.

SplashBI is the tool used to access reports from Oracle Financials. Details of these reports are available in the Reports Library.

In addition to accessing standard reports via the SplashBI homepage, an Excel add-in is available to download via the SplashBI Home Page (the landing page when you log into SplashBI), giving access to two areas of functionality depending on user access:

  • SplashXL – enables users to access reports from within Microsoft Excel, providing better options for modifying, scheduling, and distributing.
  • SplashGL – enables users to access Templated Financial Reports (TFRs), and to set up their own GL report templates.

ACTION REQUIRED - Clearing cache prior to using SplashBI v5.4

 Prior to using SplashBI v5.4, ensure your cached images and files have been deleted.
If this step is not performed, the SplashBI page won't load correctly.
For instructions on how to do this, please see the How-To here.

Upgrade overview

SplashBI version 5.4 introduces a number of new features and improvements to the application. Many of these are transparent to users, though a select few are listed below.

  • Scheduling - Report scheduling now includes the option to run on the "Last day of the selected month", as well as the ability to pause schedules. Schedules can be paused indefinitely or for a predefined amount of minutes, hours or days. Instructions on scheduling in v5.4 can be found here.
  • Distribution - Distribution functionality has been improved in both the main application as well as SplashGL. For further information on SplashGL Distribution, please refer the SplashGL section below.
  • Report Nicknames - Completed reports can be given a name of your choice for easier reference. Please see the following guide here.

SplashGL v5.4

SplashBI version 5.4 includes a number of enhancements and fixes to SplashGL functionality.

  • AutoFit - as default, AutoFit is now disabled. This can alleviate issues with column resizing when refreshing custom workbooks.
  • Bursting Templates - Bursting Templates are a defined set of parameters that when executed with the Bursting functionality create a tailored, detailed report in SplashGL.
  • Distribution Templates - Distribution Templates are a defined set of hierarchy values and their respective email recipients of which SplashGL reports can be distributed to.

Full instructions on this functionality can be found here.

Requisition Details Report column changes

'Req Num' renamed to 'Requisition Number'
'Line Num' renamed to 'Line Number'
'Distribution Num' renamed to 'Distribution Number'
'Type Lookup Code' renamed to 'Requisition Type Code'
'Po Number' renamed to 'PO Number'
'Note To Agent' renamed to 'Note to Buyer'
'Unit Meas Lookup Code' renamed to 'Unit Of Measure'
'Rfq Required Flag' renamed to 'RFQ Required Flag'
'Req Line Quantity' renamed to 'Requisition Line Quantity'
'Expenditure Org' renamed to 'Expenditure Organization'

'PO Distribution ID' added

Column order changed.

Expand All

Gaining access

SplashBI: it is not usually necessary to request SplashBI access specifically. When a user has completed the training and been granted access to an Oracle responsibility which includes reporting, they will automatically be given the SplashBI role (called UO SplashBI), allowing reporting on the Oracle module to which they have access, e.g. Projects or Receivables
Please note: the Shopper and Reviewer responsibilities do not allow for reporting. If these users want to run reports then access to UO Purchase Order Enquiry must be requested. Further training will be required before this access can be granted.
SplashXL: Access should be requested via the Additional Reporting Tools Access Request form and training completed. Once training is completed and, access has been granted, the SplashXL add-in can be downloaded from the SplashBI homepage
SplashGL: Access should be requested via the Additional Reporting Tools Access Request form and training completed. Once training is completed and, access has been granted, the SplashGL add-in can be downloaded from the SplashBI homepage
Further information on the SplashBI role and related training can be found in the 'SplashBI Training' section below.

 

To determine which Splash role you require see Splash Activities by Role (XLS)

 

Further support

In addition to the training, there are How To guides available. Please review these and the other information on this page. If you still need help with SplashBI, please contact the Financials Service Desk.

If you are having trouble running the reports, please check the following before contacting the Service Desk:

  • Check the parameters are correct and rational for the given report. For example, when inputting the search parameters for the Project Status and Activity Report make sure that you are not looking for a departmental project having asked for research projects
  • Ensure that you use the [TAB] key on your keyboard when moving from one field to the next
  • Ensure all date fields are filled in and that where a date range is needed, that it is correct 
  • Ensure that you are running the report using the correct responsibility
  • Refer to the How To video below 
  • Refer to the training in CoSY

How-To Guides

SplashBI - Clearing browser cache

SplashBI - Amending the name of a completed report

SplashBI - Scheduling reports

SplashBI - Distribution key features

Splash plugin (XL/GL) - Updating the Excel plugin

Splash plugin (XL/GL) - Creating a new instance

SplashGL - v5.4 key features

SplashGL - Bursting and Distribution

SplashGL - Exporting Distribution Templates

How-To Videos

You can view all the available how to video tutorials via the Finance Division YouTube channel or select from the list below.

How to Run a Report in SplashBI

How to Modify and Resubmit a Report in SplashBI

How to Distribute a Report in SplashBI

How to Schedule a Report in SplashBI

I cannot access SplashBI

  1. Please check your password. You should be able to use your Oracle password to access SplashBI
  2. You may already have SplashBI open in another tab or window
  3. Your SplashBI access may have timed-out. Simply refresh the page and log back in using your Oracle password
  4. If you get a “You do not have the rights to this responsibility” or still can't get in after trying, this please contact the Service Desk

I cannot download the Excel add-in - "The system administrator has set policies to prevent installation"

  1. Your department's IT policy may stop you from installing certain applications. Please contact your local IT helpdesk for assistance in the first instance

How do I uninstall the SplashBI add-in

  1. Please refer to the document Uninstalling the SplashBI add-in for full details of how to remove the SplashBI addin from your machine

I get zero rows when I receive my report

  1. Ensure that you have the correct value selected from the list of values in the given parameter
  2. Ensure that you use the [TAB] key on your keyboard when moving from one field to the next
  3. Before clicking 'Submit', wait for all relevant fields to populate with the correct values
  4. Run the report under a different responsibility, for example, an 'Enquiry' responsibility

I cannot run my existing GL Connect reports

  1. You need to convert your old GL Connect reports to the new SplashGL reports. Please watch the How To video on this subject
  2. Ensure that you are running the latest version of the SplashGL add-in
  3. Ensure that you have taking the SplashGL training, relevant to your access

I don't appear to have a link to download the SplashXL add-in but have completed the training

  1. Contact the Financials Service Desk, who will then ensure that access is granted

How do I cancel a report

If you wish to cancel your report for any reason, please take the following steps:

  1. Find the report on your list
  2. Click on the Terminate option and confirm deletion if asked
  3. The icon should change from Grey to Red  
  4. You can then resubmit the report.

Installing the SplashBI plugin

The SplashBI plugin is downloaded from the SplashBI homepage, under the "Getting Started" widget.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/1uIq8Tc3Oco

Detailed installation steps can be found on the document here.

First time users will need to create a new Instance. Please see the How-To document here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to create a new connection (instance) after downloading a new SplashBI plugin

No, there is no need. Your existing instance information will remain from the previous installation.

Instructions on creating a new instance can be found here.

As a SplashXL user, why do I need to download a new SplashBI plugin if the changes are only in SplashGL?

It is advised to keep the plugin version in sync with the SplashBI application version to avoid any compatibility issues, therefore all SplashBI plugin users will need to download the new version. If you attempt to log into a version of the plugin that differs from that of the Splash server, you will be prompted with an error.

SplashGL Functionality

Workbooks – these are the replacements for FSG reports, and are known as Templated Financial Reports (TFRs). Instructions are included with each report on how to complete the parameters.  Do save a local copy if preferred – any updates to these workbooks will be communicated in the usual way.  They can also be downloaded from the online Reports Library if you experience any issues.

Bursting – this enables the creation of a tab for each cost centre (it works similarly to content sets for these replacements to FSG).  Run and save a copy of the report for the parent cost centre (or other parent segment, as appropriate) and then use the Bursting option to produce a tab for each cost centre.  Please review the training materials before using for the first time.

Distribution – this works similarly to Bursting but can be set up to distribute some or all of the generated tabs out by email. Again, run and save a copy of the report for the parent cost centre (or other parent segment, as appropriate) and then use this option to burst and distribute. Please review the training materials before using for the first time. We recommend at this point in time that you only distribute reports at cost centre level.

Reports – these can be used as a simpler option for the FSG replacements but neither Bursting nor Distribution is available for this option.

Please note: For TFRs, data is not updated immediately when posting journals. The balances will be updated each morning and at 12:30.

If an "ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: associative array key violates its type constraints" error is present, please surround the referenced cell values with apostrophes.

Expand All

How to Convert a GL Connect Report to a SplashGL Report

Run a TFR

Distribute Reports in SplashGL

Create a Distribution List of SplashGL

Bursting Report Results

Amend a Distribution List

 

Oracle Financials Live

Log a support call

Oracle Financials Training environment

For training requirements, please log into CoSy

Contact Us

 : Financial Systems
       Finance Division
       University of Oxford
       23-38 Hythe Bridge Street
       OX1 2ET

 : financials@admin.ox.ac.uk
 : 01865 (2) 84800
 : Contact Financial Systems    

 : Opening hours:
       8.00am - 5.00pm
       Monday - Friday (except Bank
       Holidays, Easter and
       Christmas)

Related links