Write Back in OBIEE 10G

I was working on the Write back function in OBIEE and found it quite interesting.

Imagine if we can enter in data in the report for certain columns and that becomes a part of the reports generated. Yes this is the basic example of Write Back. Data entered in the report will be added into the database. Basically we can follow two types of functions i,e INSERT and UPDATE.
For doing so just follow the basic steps mentioned below.


1. First I created a database with 3 columns

Our aim is to enter values for the column ‘EXPERIENCE’ from the report so that it gets reflected in the database.

2. I created a ODBC connectioned and imported it in the RPD

3.Once this is done remember to untick the cacheable option

( You  see a Write Back tab in the Connection Pool  but since our database is Oracle you dont have to do anthing in this).
5. Create a Fact Dimension Model in ther BMM Layer and then save the changes
6.In the Answers first provide privilege to the Group for Write Back(Administration–>Manage Privilege–>Write Back)

7. Choose the column format for the column you want to add data and choose the option Write Back. Inthis case it is the column “EXPERIENCE”
8. Then choose the third button above and fill in the information. Save this report and follow exactly the next step below

9. Now the next step is to write the INSERT and UPDATE statements in an XML which is to be placed in the path location OracleBI\web\msgdb\customMessages . You can give any name for this XML. The only thing you have to make sure is that the ‘WebMessageName’ in the XML should be the same that is given in the answers with this one. The XML pattern is like the one you see below


Here the things to be noted is that
– you have to give the WebMessageName the same as that you have given in the Answer

 – Give the the Connection Pool name as that of the one set in the RPD
– Give a insert statement even though your not inserting any record otherwise it will throw an error

11. Once this is done make sure that the Presentation Services are started. Then open the report you have saved and update a data you have entered and click update.


12. Go to the database to see if the change is reflected.


Walla… Write back works!!!


Doing the INSERT is a bit tricky. As stated on Siebel SupportWeb, 
in order for an INSERT to occur, a value has to change in a NULL 
field that is not part of the UPDATE commands WHERE clause. 

What this basically means is, if you have a Writeback report with 
fields A, B and C. If fields B and C are part of the where 
clause of the UPDATE command and A is not, then any updates to A 
will cause an INSERT command. The only catch is that A has to be 
a NULL field that you edit. 

So I have taken a condition here that I have a column an ID column that is auto generated and I want to add information as  a part of insert and 
In case of UPDATE I want to edit an already existing data/ column

1. Well I have the very same 3 columns 

2. Now in the XML I make a small change in the INSERT statement. I tried to do a direct insert statement and didnt work for me. It throws a lot of  error and then went with a logic that I want to update a rough with EMPID=3 so in this case I can have a insert statement also. The XML is below. –


3. Now make the other column WRITE BACK by changing the column properties

4. Now insert values in the second and third column


5. Now lets try to update the Experience column from 6 to 5

Walla it works 🙂

Cheers and have fun  :)!!!

7 thoughts on “Write Back in OBIEE 10G

  1. Hi I am new to OBIEE. Thank you so much for your effort to explain so clearly. I understand everything else what I don't understand is how to write the template. Many articles on the web says we should save the template in D:\OracleBI\web\msgdb\customMessages
    Could you please explain how to create the template for very first time?

    Thank You


  2. Thanks a lot.. Im happy to know that my efforts are helping a lot of people. Well if you have to create a template for the first time, you just have to open your notepad and copy the XML format mentioned and save it in the path mentioned by you. You can provide any name for this template, it doesn't matter. I have this step captured in the 9th point above. If you still have any queries feel free to get back. If there is any other areas where you require any information please feel free to inform me.
    Thanks once again. 🙂


  3. Thank you so much. I tried it but the update option is not on when you put the cursor on UPDATE its shows the following error: Unable to write back: Associated write back SQL template not found on server.
    Should I edit this section too because the information in this section is different in other sites?


  4. It seems that the server is not able to recognize the template you have created. There are a few things that can be the issue.

    1. Copy the exact same XML which I have above in my blog and change the connection pool information and the table information to meet with your criteria
    2. Make sure that you mentioned in the XML is the exact same as that you provide it in the Template Name section in the answers

    3. Make sure you provide Write Back to the same columns as mentioned in the SQL provided in the XML

    4. After saving the XML it is best advised to restart all the services so that the new XML created is also reflected in the Presentation Services.

    If these checks are done Im sure you will be able to do write back with no issues. Please get back if you have any more queries.


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