PeopleSoft Query Voodoo

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Clear Your Browsing Data/Cache/Cookies

Always try this FIRST if something is not working properly. Ensure you have only one browser window open, then navigate to the browser history and clear the cookies. If your screen in the Enterprise Applications folder (where you access your specific database) has been reduced to a tiny area, clearing your cache will do the trick!
Please go to the Clearing Your Browser's Cache page for more information.

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Outputting Alphabetized List of Fields to Excel

If you are in need of selecting fields to output in alphabetical order:

    1. In the Query tab, alphabetize, then choose fields (be sure to do this in this order)
    2. Proceed to the Fields tab and output to Excel

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Excel and PS Query alphabetize certain things (spaces and underscores, for example) differently, which results in your alphabetized list in PS differing from an alphabetized list in Excel.

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XLAT (Translation)

Some fields have translated values. When you go to the "Fields" tab, there is a column labeled "XLAT". This indicates whether or not the database will translate the value of the field. An "N" indicates that translate is available, but not being used in the query.  Click the "Edit" button to change the selection. When you choose "Short", the output will return a short description, and the "Fields" table shows "S".  For "Long", it will return a long description and show as "L" on the Fields tab.

 location and choice of translate value after clicking the edit button

Put name of field in Expression

When you create an expression, put the field name first before the case statement with commenting  /*+name of field or purpose of case statement */.
This step makes it easier to identify Expression fields on the query fields page tab.

showing an example of Expression Text with the properly formatted name of PY Revenue.

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Use Signed Number

Use the "Signed Number" option under 'Expression Type' in order to get the correct numbers. (not "Number" option)

Showing the Signed Number Option  Highlighted under Expression Type in order to get the correct numbers.

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Set Default or Optional Value on Prompt

Enter the default number/ data on the prompt.  Additionally, you can make the prompt "optional" by leaving the default value field blank and checking the box. 

Default Prompt

Showing the default value being set at 2024 in the Edit Prompt Properties.

Prompt Optional

Showing the optional button checked and the default value being blank to set a prompt as optional in the Edit Prompt Properties window.

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Error: Message=ORA-00932: inconsistent datatypes: expected - got CLOB (50,380)

When you get this Oracle error, check the following:

  • Check data type. If the type is text, change to character. (ex. TO_CHAR(A.longdescr)
  • Removing distinct may solve the error.
  • Check null or join criteria
  • Limit the number of characters to pull by using TRIM (ex. SUBSTR(TRIM(A.longdescr), 500, 1))

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Environment

  • PeopleSoft Campus Solutions (CSPRD
  • PeopleSoft Campus Solutions Reporting (CSRPT)
  • PeopleSoft Human Resources (HRPRD)
  • PeopleSoft Financials (FNPRD)

Details

Details

Article ID: 159386
Created
Fri 5/10/24 5:10 AM
Modified
Thu 6/26/25 1:26 PM
Applies To
Faculty
Staff