Getting Started with Query in Web View

by Marie Stark, Nicklaus Children's Hospital Foundation

Query is one of the most widely used and useful features of Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT®. 

As you make the transition to using Query in web view, it is good to be aware of the changes in functionality and some useful enhancements. 

Let’s start exploring these differences on the Query landing page in web view. Navigate to Analysis/Query. 

Categories 

In database view, the categories are on the left side. 

In web view, Categories are on top in a drop-down list. 

Other filter options are also at the top.

In either view, you can change the category of an individual query in Query Options.

Columns

To select the Query Columns in database view, you would right click and select the columns with the right arrow.

In web view, select the Columns button at the top of the page. Check the columns you would like to view.

You’ll find a clever new option to show a column for Favorites, allowing you to click on the star to quickly add a query to the Favorite queries tile on your home page.

These are some of my favorite new and enhanced features in web view Query:

Delete Multiple Queries

When deleting multiple queries, you now have the ability to filter by category, rather than having to sift through long lists of queries. It works much faster than in database view. In database view, you are required to scroll through a long list of queries without seeing what category they are assigned to.

In web view, you can filter by Favorites only. You can also filter by the user who created the query, which is useful when someone leaves the organization.

In order to delete multiple queries according to your filters, first set the filters on the query screen. You can filter by Category or select All categories.

You can also filter by Query type, Format, Date created, or Created by. You can specify any or all of these filters.

In the example below, multiple filters have been applied.

Add a checkmark to the queries you wish to delete, then select Delete.

When you confirm your selection, the screen will display a summary of your actions.

Selecting Copy will allow you to copy and paste the summary, as in the following example.

Query Name Deleted Message

Query of Imported Records18 Yes Query deleted successfully

02-15-19Credit Card Updater - Gifts Updated2 Yes Query deleted successfully

Query of Imported Records19 Yes Query deleted successfully

Processed : 3

Warnings : 0

Deleted : 3

Exceptions : 0

Options Tab

The Export Control Report in database view is under File/ Print Control report. In web view, you can find this report under Options.

You’ll find other selections like Soft Credits on the Options tab in web view as well.

Pasting Records

When copying and pasting multiple Constituent IDs or Aliases into a query, you can now paste 2,000 at a time instead of 500.

There is no longer a need to scroll down to the bottom of the criteria box before pasting.

Exporting/Sharing

Exporting a query in web view is limited to .CSV or .XLSX formats.

Note: In order to export a query, the user must be assigned to an Analysis role that allows Export in Query tasks.

There is now the ability to easily share a query instead of exporting results to Excel and emailing a file.

By selecting the Copy Link button, you can paste a link to either the query criteria or results.

For a long-time database user like me, old habits die hard. I’ve made a point of keeping up with changes in web view. Besides always reading “What’s new” on the Home Page, I read all the blogs and try out new features in order to learn them. I also sign up for Product Updates and attend as many webinars as I can about new features. Becoming familiar with these features will help us as we transition to the Unified View.

About the author: Marie Stark has spent more than 15 years in the nonprofit sector, including the past 13 years as a Data Analyst at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation. She brings deep experience in reporting, data analysis, and third-party tools, and is an active member of the Blackbaud community.