Oracle BI Publisher (BIP) Reports in Oracle Fusion: Complete Beginner Guide from Scratch

If you are starting your career as an Oracle Fusion Technical Consultant, BI Publisher is one of the most important reporting tools you should learn.

Almost every Oracle Fusion implementation has reporting requirements such as:

• Purchase Order reports

• Supplier reports

• AP Invoice reports

• Project reports

• Employee reports

• Payment reports

• Operational data extracts

• Formatted PDF documents

• Scheduled reports

• Reports delivered by email

• Data extracts used by integrations

Oracle BI Publisher, commonly called BIP, is widely used to handle these requirements.

If you have never created a BI Publisher report before, this guide will take you through the complete process from the beginning.

By the end of this article, you will understand:

• What BI Publisher is

• What a Data Model is

• What a Data Set is

• How SQL is used in BIP

• What Parameters and LOVs are

• How BI Publisher generates XML

• How an RTF template works

• How to create and run a report

• How BIP is used with Oracle Integration Cloud

• What to learn after building your first report

We will also create a simple Purchase Order report so that you can understand the complete development flow practically.

What Is BI Publisher in Oracle Fusion?

BI Publisher is Oracle's enterprise reporting solution used to retrieve business data and generate formatted operational reports.

You may also see the term Analytics Publisher in newer Oracle documentation, but in most Oracle Fusion projects, consultants still commonly use the terms BI Publisher or BIP.

A simple BI Publisher flow looks like this:

Oracle Fusion Data → SQL Query → Data Model → XML Data → Report → RTF Template → PDF / Excel / HTML / XML

The main idea is simple:

The Data Model retrieves and structures the data, while the Report presents that data to the user.

We will understand each component step by step.

What Should You Know Before Learning BIP?

You do not need to be an expert Oracle developer before learning BI Publisher.

However, basic knowledge of the following will help.

1. Basic SQL

You should be comfortable with:

SELECT
FROM
WHERE
JOIN
GROUP BY
ORDER BY

It is also useful to know functions such as:

NVL
CASE
DECODE
TO_CHAR
TO_DATE
SUM
COUNT

As you start building more complex reports, strong SQL knowledge becomes increasingly important.

2. Basic Oracle Fusion Navigation

You should know how to log in to Oracle Fusion and navigate between work areas.

3. Basic Understanding of Oracle Fusion Modules

You do not need deep functional knowledge in every module, but understanding the business area helps you identify the correct tables and relationships.

Common modules include:

• Procurement

• Accounts Payable

• Accounts Receivable

• Projects

• Inventory

• Order Management

• HCM

Our First BI Publisher Requirement

Instead of learning BIP only through theory, let us build a simple report.

Assume the business gives us the following requirement:

Create a Purchase Order report where the user can enter a Purchase Order Number and view the PO Number, Status, Currency, and Creation Date.

The final report should look similar to this:

We will now build this report from scratch.

Step 1: Open Reports and Analytics

Log in to Oracle Fusion.

Navigate to:

Navigator → Tools → Reports and Analytics → Browse Catalog

The BI Catalog will open.

You will usually see folders such as:

• My Folders

• Shared Folders

What Is the BI Catalog?

The BI Catalog is the location where Oracle Fusion reporting objects are stored.

It can contain objects such as:

• Reports

• Data Models

• Analyses

• Dashboards

• Templates

• Folders

For custom development, organizations usually maintain reports under a custom folder structure.

For example:

Shared Folders → Custom → Procurement → Reports / Data Models

A larger implementation may have folders such as:

• Procurement

• Payables

• Receivables

• Projects

• Inventory

• Integrations

Best Practice: Avoid modifying Oracle-delivered reports directly. If a seeded report needs customization, create a copy under the appropriate custom folder and modify the copied version.

Step 2: Understand Data Model vs Report

This is one of the most important concepts for beginners.

A BI Publisher solution normally contains two major objects:

1. Data Model

2. Report

Let us understand the difference.

What Is a Data Model?

The Data Model is responsible for retrieving and structuring the report data.

This is where you normally configure:

• SQL queries

• Data Sets

• Parameters

• List of Values

• Multiple Data Sets

• Data relationships

• Bursting definitions

Think of the Data Model as answering:

What data does my report need?

What Is a Report?

The Report controls how the retrieved data is presented to the user.

The report is generally associated with:

Data Model + Layout / Template + Output Format

Think of the Report as answering:

How should the data look when the user runs the report?

A simple way to remember the difference is:

Data Model = Fetch the data

Report = Display the data

Step 3: Create Your First Data Model

Inside the BI Catalog, navigate to your custom folder.

Then select:

New → Data Model

Give your Data Model a meaningful name.

For example:

XX_PO_DETAILS_DM

Here:

• XX identifies the object as custom

• DM represents Data Model

Naming conventions differ between organizations, so always follow your project's standard.

Step 4: Create a SQL Data Set

After creating the Data Model, we need to add a Data Set.

A Data Set defines where the report data comes from.

Select:

New Data Set → SQL Query

For Fusion ERP or SCM, select the application database data source available in your environment.

A common data source name is similar to:

ApplicationDB_FSCM

The exact name can vary depending on the Oracle Fusion environment and privileges.

Now we can write our SQL query.

Step 5: Write Your First BIP SQL Query

For our Purchase Order report, start with this query:

SELECT pha.segment1         AS po_number,
       pha.document_status  AS po_status,
       pha.currency_code    AS currency_code,
       pha.creation_date    AS creation_date
FROM   po_headers_all pha
ORDER BY pha.creation_date DESC

We are using:

PO_HEADERS_ALL

This table stores Purchase Order header information.

The query retrieves:

At this stage, the query can return many Purchase Orders.

Our requirement says the user should be able to search using a PO Number, so we need a parameter.

Step 6: Add a PO Number Parameter

Modify the SQL as follows:

SELECT pha.segment1         AS po_number,
       pha.document_status  AS po_status,
       pha.currency_code    AS currency_code,
       pha.creation_date    AS creation_date
FROM   po_headers_all pha
WHERE  (:P_PO_NUMBER IS NULL
        OR pha.segment1 = :P_PO_NUMBER)
ORDER BY pha.creation_date DESC

Notice this value:

:P_PO_NUMBER

This is a bind parameter.

What Is a Parameter in BI Publisher?

A parameter allows the user to provide an input value before running the report.

For example:

PO Number: PO-10001

BI Publisher passes that value to the SQL query using:

:P_PO_NUMBER

Common real-world report parameters include:

P_PO_NUMBER
P_SUPPLIER_NUMBER
P_INVOICE_NUMBER
P_PROJECT_NUMBER
P_BUSINESS_UNIT
P_FROM_DATE
P_TO_DATE
P_EMPLOYEE_NUMBER

Step 7: Create the Parameter in the Data Model

In the Data Model, go to the Parameters section and create a new parameter.

Use values similar to:

Parameter Name: P_PO_NUMBER
Display Label : PO Number
Parameter Type: Text

The parameter name must match the bind variable used in the SQL query.

For example:

:P_PO_NUMBER

Now the SQL query and the Data Model parameter are connected.

Why Are We Using This Condition?

Our SQL contains:

WHERE (:P_PO_NUMBER IS NULL
       OR pha.segment1 = :P_PO_NUMBER)

This supports two scenarios.

Scenario 1: The User Enters a PO Number

If the user enters:

PO-10001

the report returns only that Purchase Order.

Scenario 2: The User Leaves the Parameter Blank

If the parameter is blank, the query does not restrict the result to a single PO Number.

Performance Note: Be careful with optional parameters in production reports. If leaving a parameter blank causes millions of rows to be retrieved, the report can become slow or fail. Always design filters based on the expected data volume.

Step 8: Test the Data Model

Before creating the report layout, test the Data Model.

Use the View Data option.

Enter a valid PO Number.

For example:

P_PO_NUMBER = PO-10001

Run the Data Model.

If the query works correctly, you should see data similar to:

PO_NUMBER     PO_STATUS     CURRENCY_CODE
------------------------------------------
PO-10001      OPEN          USD

If the SQL does not work at this stage, fix the query before moving to RTF template development.

A good development approach is:

SQL Working → Validate Data → Generate XML → Start RTF Development

Do not start template development while the SQL is still unstable.

Step 9: Understand the XML Generated by BI Publisher

This is where many beginners initially get confused.

When the Data Model runs, BI Publisher converts the query result into XML.

The XML may look conceptually like this:

<DATA_DS>
    <G_1>
        <PO_NUMBER>PO-10001</PO_NUMBER>
        <PO_STATUS>OPEN</PO_STATUS>
        <CURRENCY_CODE>USD</CURRENCY_CODE>
        <CREATION_DATE>2026-08-01</CREATION_DATE>
    </G_1>
</DATA_DS>

You normally do not create this XML manually.

BI Publisher generates it from your Data Model.

The RTF template later reads these XML elements.

The complete flow is:

SQL Column → Data Model → XML Element → RTF Field → Final Report

For example:

pha.segment1 AS po_number → <PO_NUMBER>PO-10001</PO_NUMBER> → <?PO_NUMBER?> → PO-10001

Once you understand this flow, BI Publisher becomes much easier.

Step 10: Save Sample XML Data

Before creating the RTF template, generate sample data from the Data Model.

Make sure the sample contains valid records.

Save the sample XML using a meaningful name.

For example:

XX_PO_DETAILS_SAMPLE.xml

This XML file will be used in Microsoft Word while creating the RTF template.

Step 11: Install BI Publisher Template Builder

One of the most common ways to create a BI Publisher layout is by using an RTF Template.

RTF templates are usually designed in Microsoft Word using the BI Publisher Template Builder for Word.

Template Builder makes it easier to:

• Load sample XML

• Insert fields

• Create tables

• Create repeating groups

• Preview output

• Add conditions

• Add formatting

Once installed, Microsoft Word will show BI Publisher-related options.

Step 12: Load Sample XML into Microsoft Word

Open Microsoft Word.

Open the BI Publisher / Template Builder menu.

Load the sample XML file:

XX_PO_DETAILS_SAMPLE.xml

Template Builder should now recognize fields such as:

PO_NUMBER
PO_STATUS
CURRENCY_CODE
CREATION_DATE

These fields can now be added to the report layout.

Step 13: Create the Report Layout

Create a table in Microsoft Word.

For example:

Using Template Builder, insert the appropriate fields.

Internally, BI Publisher uses expressions similar to:

<?PO_NUMBER?>
<?PO_STATUS?>
<?CURRENCY_CODE?>
<?CREATION_DATE?>

These values are populated from the XML generated by the Data Model.

Step 14: Understand the for-each Loop

Now imagine the query returns 20 Purchase Orders.

We need the table row to repeat for every returned record.

That is where the for-each loop is used.

Conceptually:

<?for-each:G_1?>

<?PO_NUMBER?>
<?PO_STATUS?>
<?CURRENCY_CODE?>
<?CREATION_DATE?>

<?end for-each?>

This tells BI Publisher:

Repeat this section for every G_1 record available in the XML.

For example, if the XML contains:

PO-10001
PO-10002
PO-10003

the report can generate three rows.

Understanding XML groups and repeating loops is one of the most important skills in RTF development.

Step 15: Preview the RTF Template

Before uploading the RTF template to Oracle Fusion, preview it locally.

For example:

Preview → PDF

Validate the following:

• Are all fields displayed?

• Are multiple records repeating correctly?

• Are dates formatted correctly?

• Are columns aligned?

• Are there unexpected blank values?

• Is the table width correct?

• Does the report fit the page?

• Are totals and labels correct?

Fix layout issues before uploading the template.

Step 16: Save the Template as RTF

Save the Microsoft Word document as:

Rich Text Format (.rtf)

For example:

XX_PO_DETAILS.rtf

At this point, we have:

• Data Model: XX_PO_DETAILS_DM

• Sample XML: XX_PO_DETAILS_SAMPLE.xml

• Template: XX_PO_DETAILS.rtf

The next step is to create the final report.

Step 17: Create the BI Publisher Report

Return to the BI Catalog.

Navigate to the appropriate custom folder.

Select:

New → Report

Choose your Data Model:

XX_PO_DETAILS_DM

Then associate the RTF template:

XX_PO_DETAILS.rtf

Save the report with a meaningful name.

For example:

XX_PO_DETAILS_REPORT

The complete architecture is now:

PO_HEADERS_ALL → SQL Query → XX_PO_DETAILS_DM → XML Data → XX_PO_DETAILS_REPORT → XX_PO_DETAILS.rtf → PDF / Excel / HTML

Step 18: Run Your First BI Publisher Report

Open:

XX_PO_DETAILS_REPORT

You should see the report parameter:

PO Number

Enter a valid value:

PO-10001

Run the report.

The output should look similar to:

Congratulations — you have now created the basic structure of a BI Publisher report from scratch.

Complete BI Publisher Development Flow

As a beginner, remember this end-to-end process:

Business Requirement → Identify Fusion Tables → Write SQL → Create Data Model → Create Data Set → Create Parameters / LOVs → Test Data Model → Generate Sample XML → Create RTF Template → Create Report → Test Report → Schedule / Burst / Integrate

If you understand this flow, you understand the foundation of BI Publisher development.

What Is an LOV in BI Publisher?

Now let us improve the report.

Suppose we do not want the user to manually type a PO Number.

Instead, we want a dropdown such as:

Select PO Number

PO-10001
PO-10002
PO-10003

For this, we create a List of Values, commonly called an LOV.

The LOV can itself be populated using SQL.

Example:

SELECT pha.segment1 AS display_value,
       pha.segment1 AS return_value
FROM   po_headers_all pha
ORDER BY pha.segment1

The relationship becomes:

LOV → P_PO_NUMBER → Main Data Set

Now the user can select a PO Number instead of typing it manually.

Parameter vs LOV

This is also a common interview question.

Parameter

A Parameter receives the input value.

Example:

P_PO_NUMBER

LOV

An LOV provides the list of possible values.

Example:

PO-10001
PO-10002
PO-10003

Remember:

LOV → Parameter → SQL

What If We Need Purchase Order Lines?

Our current report only returns Purchase Order header information.

Now assume the business changes the requirement:

We also need PO Line Number, Item Description, Quantity, and Unit Price.

In that case, we can join the PO header and PO line tables.

Example:

SELECT pha.segment1         AS po_number,
       pha.document_status  AS po_status,
       pla.line_num         AS line_number,
       pla.item_description AS item_description,
       pla.quantity         AS quantity,
       pla.unit_price       AS unit_price
FROM   po_headers_all pha
       JOIN po_lines_all pla
         ON pha.po_header_id = pla.po_header_id
WHERE  (:P_PO_NUMBER IS NULL
        OR pha.segment1 = :P_PO_NUMBER)
ORDER BY pha.segment1,
         pla.line_num

Now the report contains a header-to-line relationship.

As your BIP knowledge improves, you will work with structures such as:

PO Header → PO Lines → Schedules → Distributions

Common Purchase Order Tables

For Oracle Fusion Procurement reporting, you will frequently work with tables such as:

PO_HEADERS_ALL
PO_LINES_ALL
PO_LINE_LOCATIONS_ALL
PO_DISTRIBUTIONS_ALL

Depending on the requirement, you may also need supplier, business unit, legal entity, project, requester, shipment, and other related information.

Do not try to memorize every Oracle Fusion table.

Learn them based on real business requirements.

Common AP Invoice Tables

For Payables reporting, common tables include:

AP_INVOICES_ALL
AP_INVOICE_LINES_ALL
AP_INVOICE_DISTRIBUTIONS_ALL

The relationship is generally:

Invoice Header → Invoice Lines → Invoice Distributions

The same principle applies across Oracle Fusion modules: first understand the business flow, then identify the required tables and joins.

The Most Important Skill: Understand the Business Flow

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is searching for tables before understanding the requirement.

A better approach is:

Understand Requirement → Understand Business Process → Identify Fusion Module → Identify Header Table → Identify Child Tables → Understand Join Keys → Write SQL

For example, if the requirement is related to a Purchase Order, you should understand concepts such as:

• PO Header

• PO Line

• Schedule

• Distribution

• Supplier

• Business Unit

Once the business flow is clear, SQL development becomes much easier.

Multiple Data Sets in BI Publisher

A Data Model can contain more than one Data Set.

For example:

DS_PO_HEADER
DS_PO_LINES
DS_APPROVALS

A complex report may contain:

• Purchase Order Header

• Purchase Order Lines

• Distributions

• Approval History

Multiple Data Sets are useful when the requirement naturally contains separate sets of information.

However, do not create multiple Data Sets just because BI Publisher supports them.

If one efficient SQL query can solve the requirement clearly, that can often be easier to maintain.

How BI Publisher Is Used in Real Oracle Fusion Projects

BI Publisher is not used only for manually downloaded PDF reports.

It is used for several real-world scenarios.

1. Business Reports

Examples:

• Purchase Order Report

• Invoice Report

• Supplier Report

• Project Report

• Employee Report

2. Formatted Documents

Examples:

• Purchase Order PDF

• Invoice PDF

• Payslip

• Customer Statement

3. Scheduled Reports

A report can be configured to run automatically.

For example:

Generate the daily Purchase Order report every morning.

This removes the need for a user to run the report manually each day.

4. Bursting

Suppose one report contains invoice data for 100 suppliers.

The business may want separate documents for each supplier.

For example:

Supplier A → Supplier-A.pdf → supplierA@example.com

Supplier B → Supplier-B.pdf → supplierB@example.com

This is where Bursting is used.

Bursting allows BI Publisher to split a report based on a key and generate or deliver separate outputs.

Typical bursting use cases include:

• Supplier documents

• Customer invoices

• Employee payslips

• Cost-center reports

• Project reports

BI Publisher and Oracle Integration Cloud

BI Publisher is also extremely useful for Oracle Integration Cloud developers.

A common integration requirement is:

Extract data from Oracle Fusion and send it to an external application.

One possible architecture is:

Oracle Fusion → BI Publisher Report → Extracted Data → Oracle Integration Cloud → Transformation → REST / SOAP / File → External Application

In this architecture, BI Publisher works as the data extraction layer.

Example: BIP + OIC Integration

Suppose an external PMIS application needs project data from Oracle Fusion.

A possible flow is:

Oracle Fusion Projects → BIP Data Model → Project SQL → BI Publisher Report → OIC Scheduled Integration → Read Report Output → Transform Payload → PMIS REST API

This is why BI Publisher is a valuable skill even if your main role is Oracle Integration Cloud development.

BI Publisher vs OTBI

A common beginner question is:

What is the difference between BI Publisher and OTBI?

Both are reporting tools, but their common use cases are different.

OTBI

OTBI is generally used for:

• Interactive analysis

• Dashboards

• Ad-hoc reporting

• Subject Area-based reporting

• Charts

• Business-user analytics

BI Publisher

BI Publisher is generally used for:

• Highly formatted reports

• SQL-based reporting

• PDF documents

• Purchase Orders

• Invoices

• Scheduled reports

• Large data extracts

• Bursting

• Integration extracts

A simple way to remember the difference is:

Interactive Analysis → OTBI

Formatted / Extract Report → BI Publisher

There can be overlap, but this distinction is sufficient when you are starting.

Common Beginner Mistakes in BI Publisher

Understanding common mistakes can save you a lot of development time.

1. Starting the RTF Template Before SQL Is Stable

Do not start building the layout while your SQL is still changing.

Use this sequence:

SQL → Validate Data → Data Model → XML → RTF

2. Using SELECT *

Avoid queries such as:

SELECT *
FROM po_headers_all

Retrieve only the columns required by the report.

For example:

SELECT segment1,
       document_status,
       currency_code,
       creation_date
FROM   po_headers_all

This makes the query easier to understand and maintain.

3. Not Using Filters

Be careful with queries that can return millions of rows.

Always understand the expected data volume and add the required filters.

4. Incorrect Joins

An incorrect join can duplicate data unexpectedly.

Always understand the relationship between:

Header → Line → Schedule → Distribution

before joining the tables.

5. Putting Too Much Logic in the RTF

RTF templates support powerful logic, but unnecessary business logic inside the template makes reports difficult to maintain.

Where practical, prepare the data in SQL first:

SQL → Prepare Data → RTF → Display Data

6. Ignoring XML Structure

If you do not understand XML groups, you will struggle with:

• for-each

• Nested loops

• Grouping

• Totals

• Header-line reports

Always inspect the XML generated by the Data Model.

Recommended BI Publisher Learning Path

If you are starting from zero, learn BIP in this order.

Level 1: Basic SQL

Learn:

SELECT
WHERE
JOIN
GROUP BY
ORDER BY
CASE
NVL
DECODE

Level 2: Simple Data Model

Create one Data Model using one table.

Example:

PO_HEADERS_ALL

Level 3: Parameters

Create a parameter such as:

P_PO_NUMBER

Level 4: LOVs

Create a dropdown for PO Number or Business Unit.

Level 5: Sample XML

Understand how SQL columns appear in XML.

Level 6: RTF Templates

Learn:

• Fields

• Tables

• for-each

• if conditions

• Date formatting

• Number formatting

Level 7: Header and Line Reports

Build a report such as:

PO Header → PO Lines

Level 8: Multiple Data Sets

Learn how to work with multiple Data Sets and data relationships.

Level 9: Advanced RTF

Learn:

• Conditional formatting

• Grouping

• Page breaks

• Running totals

• Subtemplates

Level 10: Bursting

Learn how to split and deliver reports.

Level 11: Scheduling

Learn how to automate report execution.

Level 12: BI Publisher with OIC

Learn how integrations can execute and consume BI Publisher reports.

Beginner Practice Project

After completing this tutorial, try building a Purchase Order Details Report yourself.

Requirement

Create a report with the following parameters:

PO Number
From Date
To Date

Header Columns

PO Number
PO Status
Currency
Supplier
Creation Date

Line Columns

Line Number
Item
Description
Quantity
Unit Price
Amount

Required Output

PDF
Excel

Once you can build this report without following a tutorial, you have understood the basic BI Publisher development process.

BI Publisher Beginner Interview Questions

After completing this guide, you should be able to answer the following questions.

What is BI Publisher?

BI Publisher is Oracle's reporting technology used to retrieve business data and generate formatted operational reports and data extracts.

What is a Data Model?

A Data Model defines how report data is retrieved and structured.

What is a Data Set?

A Data Set is a source of data inside a Data Model, such as a SQL query.

What is a Parameter?

A Parameter receives an input value that can be used to control or filter report data.

What is an LOV?

LOV stands for List of Values. It provides selectable values for a report parameter.

What is Sample XML?

Sample XML represents the structure of the data returned by the Data Model and is commonly used while designing and testing templates.

What is an RTF Template?

An RTF Template defines how BI Publisher report data should be displayed.

Why do we use for-each?

for-each is used to repeat a section of the report for multiple records in an XML group.

What is Bursting?

Bursting splits report output based on a key and can generate or deliver separate documents for different recipients.

Can OIC call a BI Publisher report?

Yes. BI Publisher reports are commonly used with Oracle Integration Cloud to extract data from Oracle Fusion.

What is the difference between BI Publisher and OTBI?

OTBI is generally used for interactive business analytics, while BI Publisher is commonly used for formatted operational reports, scheduled reports, and data extracts.

How to Explain BI Publisher Development in an Interview

If an interviewer asks:

Explain how you develop a BI Publisher report.

You can answer:

First, I understand the business requirement and identify the required Oracle Fusion tables and joins. Then I create and validate the SQL query. After that, I create a BI Publisher Data Model and add the SQL Data Set. If required, I create Parameters and LOVs. I execute the Data Model and validate the XML output. Then I save sample XML and create an RTF template using BI Publisher Template Builder. I upload the template, create the Report, and associate it with the Data Model. Finally, I test the report with different parameter combinations and validate both the data and formatting. If required, I also configure scheduling, bursting, or use the report as part of an OIC integration.

A short version of the flow is:

Requirement → Tables → SQL → Data Model → Parameters / LOVs → XML → RTF → Report → Testing → Scheduling / Bursting / OIC

Final BI Publisher Architecture to Remember

The complete beginner architecture can be remembered as:

Business Requirement → Oracle Fusion Data → SQL Query → Data Model → Data Set / Parameters / LOVs → XML Data → Report → RTF Template → PDF / Excel / HTML / XML → Scheduling / Bursting / OIC

If you understand this architecture, you understand the foundation of BI Publisher development.

Conclusion

BI Publisher can look complicated when you first open the Data Model screen, but the basic concept is straightforward.

Remember:

• SQL retrieves the data

• The Data Model structures the data

• XML carries the data

• The RTF template formats the data

• The Report produces the final output

Start with a very small report.

A good beginner flow is:

One Table → One SQL Query → One Parameter → One Data Model → One RTF Template → One Report

Once you are comfortable with that, move to:

Header + Lines → Multiple Parameters → LOVs → Multiple Data Sets → Advanced RTF → Scheduling → Bursting → BI Publisher + OIC

If you are preparing for an Oracle Fusion Technical Consultant or Oracle Integration Cloud role, BI Publisher is definitely one of the technologies you should learn properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BI Publisher difficult for beginners?

No. If you understand basic SQL and learn the Data Model → XML → Template → Report flow, the basic concepts are straightforward. Advanced RTF development and large-volume reporting require additional practice.

Do I need PL/SQL for BI Publisher?

Not for every report. Strong SQL knowledge is more important when you are starting. PL/SQL becomes useful for more advanced Oracle technical development.

Do I need Microsoft Word for BI Publisher?

RTF templates are commonly designed using Microsoft Word with BI Publisher Template Builder.

Should an OIC developer learn BI Publisher?

Yes. BI Publisher is frequently used to extract Oracle Fusion data for integrations, so understanding it is highly valuable for OIC developers.

What should I learn after basic BI Publisher?

Focus next on:

• Parameters

• LOVs

• Header-line Data Models

• RTF functions

• Multiple Data Sets

• Bursting

• Scheduling

• Performance optimization

• BI Publisher integration with OIC

What to Learn Next

Once you are comfortable with the concepts in this article, the next practical topics should be:

1. Create a Complete Purchase Order BI Publisher Report with Header and Lines

2. BI Publisher Parameters and LOVs Explained with Real Examples

3. BI Publisher RTF Templates for Beginners

4. BI Publisher Bursting in Oracle Fusion

5. How to Call a BI Publisher Report from Oracle Integration Cloud

6. BI Publisher Performance Optimization Best Practices

These topics will take you from beginner-level reporting to practical Oracle Fusion project development.