Basic CIRS Reporting Modules

The modules below assist you in learning a particular ad hoc reporting technique or function.  They take you through the development process of building ad hoc report requests using FOCUS reporting language to produce various outputs:  online reports, batch reports, printed reports and download files.  The modules build in complexity with later modules reinforcing and complimenting the information learned in earlier modules. For additional information, refer to the material in Advanced CIRS Reporting Modules.   

To download the entire workbook, select a link below:​

Basic CIRS Reporting Workbook (.zip,  470 KB)
Basic CIRS Reporting Workbook
(.exe,  538 KB)

 

Module 1, Introd​uction​  (PDF)

Welcome

What is CIRS?

How To Use This Workbook

Assumptions

Resources

Module 2, Ad Hoc Reporting Overview​  (PDF)

Ad Hoc Reporting Process

Terminology

Master File Descriptions

Using the Data Element Dictionary

What You Have Learned

Module 3, Basic FOCUS Commands  (PDF)      

FOCUS Report Requests

Beginning and Ending Report Requests

Displaying Data

Sorting Report Columns

Selecting Records

Summary of Basic Commands

Practice

What You Have Learned

Module 4, Creating and Maintaining Requests  (PDF)  

Personal Library

Navigation Options

Creating Requests

Line Edit Commands

Command Line Entries

Maintenance Commands

Practice

What You Have Learned

Module 5, Executing Requests Online   (PDF)

Online Execution

Online File Selection

Online FOCUS Environment

Hot Screen

Printing Report Data

Fixing Errors Online

Exiting The Online FOCUS Environment

Practice

What You Have Learned

Module 6, Using Batch Functions  (PDF)

Batch Functions

Batch Versus Online

Submitting Batch Jobs

Status and System Messages

Batch Job Reports

Practice

What You Have Learned

Module 7, Using Hold Files  (PDF)

Hold Files Overview

Creating Hold Files

Browsing Hold Files

Editing Hold Files

Download Hold Files

Practice

What You Have Learned

Module 8, Customizing Printed Reports (PDF)    

Headings and Footings

Creating New Column Titles

Changing Column Formats and Justification

Column and Row Totals

Subtotals

Practice

What You Have Learned

Module 9, Using Joined Files  (PDF)

What Are Joined Files

Automatic Joins  

Pre-programmed Joins

Practice

What You Have Learned

Module 10, Creating Temporary Fields  (PDF)

Temporary Fields Overview

Syntax For Computed Fields

Syntax For Defined Fields

Practice

What You Have Learned  

Module 11, Common Library  (PDF)

Common Library Procedures

Accessing the Common Library

Finding Report Requests

Executing Report Requests

Copying From the Common Library

Copying To the Common Library

Practice

What You Have Learned

Module 12, Employment History Files (PDF)

Employment History Files Overview

TR File Practice

Employment History Extract Process

Extract Verification

EH File Practice

What You Have Learned

Module 13, Payment History Files  (PDF)

Payment Files Overview

PH File Practice

Payment History Extract Process

Extract Verification

PY File Practice

What You Have Learned

Module 14, Employment Verification  (PDF)

Employment Verification Report Overview

Creating an Employment Verification Report

Printing an Employment Verification Report

Practice

What You Have Learned

Module 15, Closeout​  (PDF)

Ad Hoc Report Procedures

Summary of FOCUS commands

Recommendations for Successful Reporting

Appendix A, Contacts (38 KB)

Appendix B, Campus Codes  (50 KB)

Appendix C, Frequently Used Files  (51 KB)