KB42655: Derived metrics disappear from grid in a document when overwriting the dataset with a previous copy in MicroStrategy Developer 9.x

SYMPTOM:
 
Derived metrics disappear from grid in a document when overwriting the dataset with a previous copy in Strategy Developer 9.x.
 
The following steps demonstrate how to reproduce the issue in Strategy Tutorial project:
 

1. Create a simple report "Report_1" with Region, Cost, and Revenue. Insert a derived metric profit_derived = (Revenue – Cost) into the report as shown below:

• Duplicate "Report_1" as "Report_1_backup."
• Modify the format on Revenue metric to make "Report_1" display as shown below:

• In Developer, right click on "Report_1" and choose "Create document". Execute the document as shown below:

• Edit "Report_1_backup" and save it as "Report_1" to replace the old Report_1. Then, the format in new "Report_1" will disappear.
• Execute the document again. The format in the document is kept while derived metric disappears in the template but exists in the Dataset Objects window as shown below:

 
 
CAUSE:
 
"Create document" option is equivalent to "Add to Section with Formatting" by which the grid will be added with only the current format of the report. However, any formatting changes made to the source report after the dataset has been included in the document will not be reflected on the document.
The behavior that derived metric disappears is expected. The derived metric's ID in the dataset will get changed after replacing the dataset. So, the template cannot find the right derived metric to display data because the reference to the derived metric in template has become invalid.
 
ACTION:
 
Strategy will continue to investigate and post updates as soon as they are available.
 
WORKAROUND:
 
Using "Add to Section with Shortcut" option to add grid or graph into document can avoid derived metric disappearing from the template.
 
For more details about how changes on the source report get reflected in Strategy Report Services Documents, refer to the following tech note:
KB31174: How do changes on the source report get reflected in MicroStrategy Report Services 9.x Documents?
 
 
KB42655