Troubleshooting
Problem
A report specification, or report spec for short, is an XML document that defines the structure and layout of a report. The spec for a report and be exported and imported between Cognos Analytics of the same or later version, or saved as a text file. IBM Support may request for a copy of a report spec when investigating report related issues.
A report specification should be saved as a text based file with the extension TXT or XML.
Don't save the report specification in other document types such as office suite type document locally or in a cloud location, embedded in an email, etc. These formats can invalidate the XML code making the specification unusable in Cognos Analytics.
Use to following steps to export or import a report specification.
Environment
IBM Cognos Analytics 11
Resolving The Problem
Steps for Cognos Analytics 11.1.x, 11.2.x, and 12.0.0.
How to export a report specification and save to text file:
1. Open the report in edit mode
2. Click the More button (3 vertical dots 
) and select Copy report to clipboard
) and select Copy report to clipboard 3. Open a text editor such as Notepad, paste from clipboard. Save as .TXT file or XML file.
How to create a report from a report specification:
1. Open the report specification in a text editor, select all text and copy to clipboard
2. In Cognos Analytics, create a new report, select Blank and click OK
3. Click the More button (3 vertical dots) and select Open report from clipboard
) and select Open report from clipboard4. In the Open report from clipboard dialog paste the report spec from clipboard, click OK
- Steps for exporting and importing report spec in Cognos Analytics 11.0.13
CA 11.0.x stepsHow to export a report specification and save to text file:1. Open the report in edit mode2. Click the Pages tab, right-click report and select Copy report to clipboard3. Open a text editor such as Notepad, paste from clipboard. Save as .TXT file or XML file.
How to create a report from a report specification:1. Open the report specification in a text editor, select all text and copy to clipboard2. In Cognos Analytics, create a new report, select Blank and click OK3. Click the Pages tab, right-click report and select Open report from clipboard4. In the Open report from clipboard dialog paste the report spec from clipboard, click OK
Related Information
[{"Type":"MASTER","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB10","label":"Data and AI"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Product":{"code":"SSTSF6","label":"IBM Cognos Analytics"},"ARM Category":[{"code":"a8m500000008d78AAA","label":"Reporting"}],"ARM Case Number":"","Platform":[{"code":"PF025","label":"Platform Independent"}],"Version":"All Versions"}]
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Document Information
Modified date:
23 June 2023
UID
swg21973886