XML/BI Publisher Interview Questions

What is BI Publisher?
A. It is a reporting tool for generating the reports. More than tool it is an engine that can be
integrated with systems supporting the business.
Is BI Publisher integrated with Oracle Apps?
Yes, it is tightly integrated with Oracle Apps for reporting needs. In 11.5.10 instances xml
publisher was used, in R12 we can it BI Publisher
What is the difference between xml publisher and BI Publisher?
Name is the difference, initially it was released on the name of xml publisher( the initial
patchset), later on they have added more features and called it Business Intelligence Publisher. In
BI by default we have integration with Datadefinitions in R12 instance. Both these names can be
used interchangeably
What are the various components required for developing a BI publisher report?
Data Template, Layout template and the integration with Concurrent Manager.
How does the concurrent program submitted by the user knows about the datatemplate or
layout template it should be using for generating the output?
The concurrent program shortname will be mapped to the code of the Datatemplate.
Layout template is attached to the datatemplate, this forms the mapping between all the three.
What is a datatemplate?
Datatemplate is an xml structure which contains the queries to be run against the database
so that desired output in xml format is generated, this generated xml output is then applied on to
the layout template for the final output
What is a layout template?
Layout template defines how the user views the output, basically it can be developed using
Microsoft word document in rft (rich text format) or Adobe pdf format. The data output in xml
format (from Data template) will be loaded in layout template at run time and the required final
output file is generated.
What are the output formats supported by layout template?
xls, html, pdf, eText etc are supported based on the business need.
Do you need to write multiple layout templates for each output type like html/pdf?
No, only layout template will be created, BI Publisher generates desired output format when
the request is run
What is the default output format of the report?
The default output format defined during the layout template creation will be used to
generate the output, the same can be modified during the request submission and it will overwrite

the one defined at layout template

Can you have multiple layout templates for a singe data template?
Yes, multiple layouts can be defined, user has a choice here to use one among them at run
time during conc request submission
Where do you register data and layout templates?
Layout template will be registered under xml publisher administrator
responsibility>Templates tab.
Data template will be registered under xml publisher admininstrator responsibility> Data
Definitions
I want to create a report output in 10 languages, do I have to create 10 layout templates?
No, BI Publisher provides the required translation for your templates, based on the number
of languages installed in your oracle apps environment requires outputs are provided
What is the required installation for using BI Pub report?
BI Publisher deskop tool has be installed. Using this tool you can preview or test the report
before deploying the same on to the instance.
How do you move your layout or data template across instances?
xdoloader is the utility that will be used.
What is the tool to map required data output and layout templates so that they can be tested in
local machine?
Template viewer will be used for the same.
Which component is responsible for generating the output in xml format before applying it to
layout template?
DataEngine will take DataTemplate as the input and the output will be generated in xml
format which will then be applied on layout template
Can BI publisher reports be used in OAF pages?
XDO template utility helper java classes are provided for the same.
Name some business use cases for BI reports?
Bank EFT, customer documents, shipping documents, internal analysis documents or any
transactional documents
How do you pass parameters to your report?
Concurrent program parameters should be passed, ensure that the parameter name/token are
same as in the conc prog defn and the data template
What are the various sections in the data template?
Parameter section

Trigger Section
Sql stmt section
Data Structure section
Lexical Section
What does lexical section contain?
The required lexical clause of Key Flex field or Descriptive FF are created under this
section
What triggers are supported in Data template?
Before report and After report are supported
Where is the trigger code written?
The code is written in the plsql package which is given under defaultpackage tag of data
template.
what is the file supporting the translation for a layout template?
A. xliff is the file that supports the translation, you can modify the same as required.
Q. How do you display the company logo on the report output?
A. Copy and paste the logo (.gif. or any format) on the header section of .rtf file . Ensure you
resize per the company standards.