SAS Visual Analytics custom graph objects can easily be shared with others by utilizing the export and import features of the SAS Management Console (SASMC), an application that allows you to connect directly to the SAS Metadata Repository, among other administrative tasks.
You can perform this task only if you have administrative privileges at your site to run SASMC and have access to the metadata server objects.
Custom graph objects are written out to a SAS Package (.spk) file format. The Export SAS Package and Import SAS Package tools in SASMC enable you to promote individual custom graph objects or groups of objects from one metadata server to another, or from one location to another on the same metadata server.
Important note for SPK files while handling custom graph objects:
- Import packages only from earlier releases of SAS Visual Analytics. Importing SPK files from other SAS applications and using them in SAS Visual Analytics can result in undesired results. Exporting from the current release and importing to a previous release can have undesired affects as well. For example, you cannot use a SAS Visual Analytics 7.1 package in SAS Visual Analytics 6.4.
Below are the steps to share your custom graph objects with others (export), as well as use custom graph objects that others have created (import).
Access the SAS Management Console following these steps:
Windows Server:
Remote desktop to your SAS Visual Analytics server.
Navigate to the following folder: C:\SASServer(or Program Files) \SASHome\SASManagementConsole\9.4.
Double Click on the SASMC application icon
Unix Server:
Log-in to your SAS Visual Analytics server.
In a shell run the following: /install/SASServer/SASHome/SASManagementConsole/9.4/sasmc &
How to share your custom graph objects with other users (export a SAS package):
Launch SAS Management Console according to the instructions above.
Connect to your server by selecting File -> Connection Profile.
You can either use the connection profile wizard to create a new connection profile, or you can open an existing connection profile if one has already been created.
Once connected to your server, using the Folders tab on the left side, navigate to the location of the custom graph object(s) you would like to share with others.
Right-click the object(s) and select Export SAS Package.
This launches the Export SAS Package Wizard, which steps through the process of creating a SAS package file that contains your custom graph objects.
Once the export process has completed successfully, click Finish to exit the wizard.
Your SAS package has now been created, and your custom graph object(s) can be shared with others.
How to use custom graph objects that others have created on your own server (import a SAS package):
Launch SAS Management Console according to the instructions above.
Connect to your SAS Visual Analytics server.
Use the Folders tab on the left side to navigate to where you want to add your new custom graph objects.
Right-click the folder you want to add your objects to, and select Import SAS Package.
This launches the Import SAS Package wizard, which steps through the process of loading a SAS package on your server.
Once the import process has completed successfully, click Finish. Your new custom graph objects are now available to use.
