Oracle BI Publisher allows you to set default date parameters dynamically in your report data models, making reports adaptive and eliminating the need for manual date input each time the report is run. These dynamic defaults empower automated scheduling and streamline user experience.

Common Default Date Functions

Here are some of the most useful date functions you can use in BI Publisher default parameters:

• {$SYSDATE()$}
  Returns the current date based on the server’s system clock when the report runs.

• {$FIRST_DAY_OF_MONTH()$}
  The first day of the current month—for example, 1st of October if running in October.

• {$LAST_DAY_OF_MONTH()$}
  The last day of the current month, useful for monthly period end reporting.

• {$FIRST_DAY_OF_YEAR()$}
  The first day of the current year, helpful in yearly summaries and reports.

• {$LAST_DAY_OF_YEAR()$}
  The last day of the current year for year-end closing or comparisons.

• {$FIRST_DAY_OF_MONTH()-1$}
  The last day of the prior month, calculated by subtracting one day from the first of the current month.

How To Use These Defaults

When creating a date parameter in your BI Publisher data model:

1. Define the parameter data type as Date.

2. In the Default Value field, enter one of the system functions above to set the dynamic default.

3. Select the Date Format String to control how the parameter displays in prompt.

4. When the report runs, the parameter automatically evaluates to the current system date or period boundary.

Example Use Cases

• Scheduling a monthly sales report automatically defaulting to the current month’s first and last day.

• Running year-to-date financials defaulted to the start of the year.

• Triggering reports as if it were the last day of last month without waiting for user input.

Why Use Default Date Parameters?

• Makes reports maintenance-free as users or schedulers do not need to update date prompts.

• Ensures reports are always run with consistent date boundaries representing business periods.

• Supports dynamic scheduling where reports run daily, weekly, or monthly with correct relative dates.

• Provide default values based on business behaviour, with daily/monthly reports pre-populated with the required date parameters