Order by with url parameter

Question

Hi,
I am new to Bi Publisher. I have a simple report query and am able to add a bind variable within the where clause to filter data by one of the fields and it works fine. I am not able to use a bind variable to control the order by. Can a parameter be used in the URL to control how the report is sorted and if so how? When I hard code the order by in the query to be order by j.status_code, it sorts by status code okay. Here is what I have tried. My query:
select j.id, j.comp_id, j.system_source_code, j.status_code, j.job_code,
j.job_start_date
from epg_jobs j
where comp_id = :branch
order by :sortby
Parameters (both of type hidden)
branch: data type = string, default=950
sortby: data type = string, default = j.status_code
When I press view, the report filters for comp_id = 950 (parameter default value) but ignores the order by. Also if I call it from a URL using 940 as the branch, it filters for all rows whre comp_id = 940 (value passed in the parameter), but again ignores the order by.
Here is my URL call:
http://mira:7779/xmlpserver/Guest/testing/testing.xdo?_xpf=&_xpt=1&_xdo=%2FGuest%2Ftesting%2Ftesting.xdo&sortby=status_code&branch=940&_xt=testing&_xf=html
Thanks,
Linda

Answer 1

(Used XCEND letterhead or insert logo)
     Contact
Ron Schoenherr
Vice President of Business & Strategy
732 W. Grand River Ave.
Brighton MI, 48116
P: 810-494-7144
(Insert Date of distribution)
For Immediate Release:
XCEND Helps Cut IT Costs
Brighton, MI  A recent study revealed many businesses are not managing their IT systems properly. The study found that a well managed system can reduce IT operating costs by as much as 36%, according to industry analysts Gartner Research
The XCEND Group recently launched a new website to help businesses become more aware of how to maximize their investment in IT systems. “We wanted our website to do more than just tell people who we are and what we do,” explained Brian Schlueter, Vice-President of Sales.
“One of our goals is to make XCENDGroup.com “Solution-Centric” versus “Product-Centric”. When someone goes to our site they have the opportunity to input what problems or issues they might be experiencing and then we provide back the appropriate solution(s) that is comprised of software, services and training,” Brian Schlueter added.
Leveraging technology is becoming more important as businesses look to technology and IT to provide a competitive advantage. Yet many businesses are still lagging behind in how they deploy and manage technology in the enterprise.
The new XCEND website also provides insight to industry news, scheduled XCEND events and news. Our goal is to continually evolve our site, so that our clients can “define their experience” while visiting XCENDGroup.com according to Brian Schlueter
The XCEND Group is a leader in this emerging industry that is focused on helping businesses manage IT systems for a maximum return on investment. XCEND’s “Solution-Centric” approach has helped clients save millions of dollars during the past three years.
XCEND has currently has more than 250 nationwide and has offices in Pittsburgh, Boston, Chicago, Austin and Lindon, Ut.
####