KB14991: ‘One of the custom group elements of type embedded filter doesn't have proper output level or has empty definition’ error occurs when executing a report containing prompts in the custom groups in MicroStrategy

SYMPTOM:
A user has created a report with a custom group having filters containing optional prompts in Strategy. If the user skips any one of the prompts, the following error occurs:
 

Error: SQLEngine got an Exception from DFC: AppObj: ERROR: Application object has error in definition. One of the custom group elements of type embedded filter doesn't have proper output level or has empty definition. The embedded filter name: F2 Error in Process method of Component: SQLEngineServer, Project Strategy Tutorial, Job 2408, Error Code= -2147212800.

• Create two prompts on the Geography hierarchy. Make both prompts optional, as shown below:
  

• Create two filters and embed the two prompts respectively, as shown below:
  

• Create a custom group with two elements by using the two filters, as shown below:
  

• Create a report with the custom group, as shown below:
  

• Execute the report and skip one prompt, as shown below:
  

•  
  The error described above will occur.
   
  

CAUSE:
This is a known issue in Strategy Desktop 8.1.x, 9.0.x, and 9.2.x.
 
ACTION:
Contact Strategy Technical Support for an update on the status of the issue.
 
WORKAROUND:
Instead of creating separate filter objects, directly embed the prompts into the custom group filter qualification, as shown below:
 
KB14991