KB46420: How to Display the Folder Browsing Path as Expanded Using the MicroStrategy Web SDK 9.4.1

By default, when browsing folders and executing reports and documents in Strategy Web, the folder browsing path area shows collapsed as shown below:

 
To see the full path location, click on the name of the current folder or click the anchor open icon.
 
 
Sometimes it might be necessary to always display this path expanded at all times. Using the Strategy Web SDK, it is possible to customize this folder path so it always stays expanded as shown below:
 

 
To accomplish this customization, perform the following steps:

1. In the Web Customization Editor, go to the Application Settings tab and scroll down and expand Styles. 
2. Search for the style named FolderBrowsingPathStyle and double click to open.
3. On the 'Style Layouts' tab, click the 'Edit Layout' button.
4. When prompted to create a copy, click yes.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for the ReportPathStyle and the RWPathStyle to see the same expanded path when executing reports and documents.
6. Repeat steps 1-4 for the PathStyle to see the same expanded path for all other pages.
7. Save the changes and restart the Web Server/App Server to see the changes.

Note: No changes need to be made to the files. The reason is because the expanding/collapsing functionality was added as part of the _Interface plugin functionality. We are simply overriding that functionality by re-implementing the out-of-the-box behavior (which is to not expand/collapse) in a new plugin.  This is possible because plugins are loaded alphabetically and usually the _Interface plugin is called first. Any plugin named starting with an 'a' or higher will load after the _Interface plugin thus overriding the layout files.
 
 
The example provided in this document is provided “as-is” to the user and assumes that the user:

• Can program, compile (e.g. javac, jikes, etc.), and execute Java programs
• Can configure environment variables (e.g. JAR files, property files, etc.)
• Have all the necessary tools to create Java applications (JDK, IDE, etc.)
• Has access to the Strategy SDK documentation.
• Has read the customization warning at the bottom of this document

PREREQUISITES:
 
For the sample to work, the Strategy Web JAR files must be accessible by the Java Runtime
Environment. The Strategy Web JAR files can be found under:

• Strategy Web Universal (JSP): {web_root}/WEB-INF/lib directory.
• Strategy Web (.NET): Program Files\Common Files\Strategy directory.

Note:
 
More elaborate programs will require additional library files and are out of the scope of this document.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
 
The Strategy SDK allows you to customize the standard Strategy Web interface, and extend and integrate the Strategy business intelligence functionality into other applications. However, before changing the way Strategy Web products look or behave, it is helpful to understand how the application is built. For more information regarding the Strategy Web architecture or the process of customizing Strategy Web, please refer to Strategy Developer Zone (https://resource.microstrategy.com/msdz/).
 
To access the Strategy Developer Zone, you must have access to the Strategy Knowledge Base, you must have purchased the Strategy SDK, and you must be current on your Strategy maintenance agreement. If you are a US-based business and believe that you satisfy all three of these conditions but you do not have access to the Strategy Developer Zone, please contact Strategy Technical Support at support@microstrategy.com or at (703) 848-8700. If you are an international business, please contact Strategy Technical Support at the appropriate email address or phone number found at http://www.microstrategy.com/Support/ContactUs.asp.
 
 
CUSTOMIZATION WARNING:
 
This customization is provided as a convenience to Strategy users and is only directly applicable to the version stated. While this code may apply to other releases directly, Strategy Technical Support makes no guarantees that the code provided will apply to any future or previous builds. In the event of a code change in future builds, Strategy Technical Support makes no guarantee that an updated version of this particular customization will be provided. In the event of a code change in future builds, Strategy may not be able to provide additional code on this matter even though this customization is provided at this time for this specific build. For enhancements to this customization or to incorporate similar functionality into other versions, contact your Account Executive to inquire about Strategy Consulting assistance.