Initializing help system before first use

Working with the Scenario Manager

The Scenario Manager is used to select which scenarios are available on the shelf of an Insight app. Data loading and scenario execution are performed from the application. The Scenario Manager enables users to perform certain operations on multiple scenarios simultaneously.
A scenario contains:
  • a self-contained copy of all input data required by one execution of the optimization model.
  • all the results data produced by one execution of the optimization model.
  • meta-data such as the scenario's owner, share status, and so on.

Many of the actions that can be done on scenarios are done through the Scenario Manager.

The Scenario Manager can be opened at any time by clicking in the grey area, known as the shelf, below the blue banner.

The Scenario Manager window is shown below.

Scenario Manager

Item Description
1 Folder list. Scenarios can be organized into containing folders
2 Actions menu - see Scenario Manager Actions Menu below for more.
3 Search box used to find a scenario by name
4 Close button
5 Buttons used to create a scenario or folder, or to import an existing scenario or folder
6

Scenario list displaying the scenarios stored in the folder selected from the Folder list (1)

The following icons are used to identify the scenario status:

Item Description
Scenario contains no data
Scenario queued for loading
Scenario is loading data
Data not loaded
Note A Custom Scenario Type may display different icons. For more, see Custom Scenario Types in the Xpress Insight Mosel Developers Guide.

Scenario Manager Actions Menu

The Actions menu (2) features the following tools:
  • Add – Available when a scenario that is not on the shelf is selected in the scenario list. You can also double click a single scenario in the list; If the scenario is not on the shelf, it will be added. A scenario that is on the shelf is removed.
  • Remove - Available when a scenario currently on the shelf is selected in the scenario list. You can also double click a single scenario in the list; If the scenario is not on the shelf, it will be added. A scenario that is on the shelf is removed.
  • Clear – Remove all scenarios from the shelf.
    Note This tool will not remove a project scenario type from the shelf. Use the Remove tool for this task.
  • Copy – Store a duplicate of the scenario selected in the scenario list on the clipboard (keyboard Ctrl-C/Cmd-C).
  • Cut - Store the selected scenario on the clipboard and remove it from the list (keyboard Ctrl-X/Cmd-X).
  • Paste – Insert a previously cut or copied selection from the clipboard into the current folder (keyboard Ctrl-V/Cmd-V). The button displays the number of items on the clipboard that can be moved. Pasted items are removed from the clipboard.

    Custom Scenario Types may not allow certain operations and will disable the corresponding tool. For more, see Custom Scenario Types in the Xpress Insight Mosel Developers Guide.

  • Rename – Edit the selected folder or scenario name.
  • Security – Opens a dialog to administer the list of users with access to the scenario and the scenario owner details.
  • Export – Save a copy of the selected scenario as an .insight format file.
  • Delete – Destroy the selected scenario (keyboard Del/Backspace).
Note If the page is displayed at a resolution below 1260 pixels wide, the tools will be represented by icons only.

All the actions in the top menu can also be performed from the scenario list by right-clicking a scenario. An additional option is available on the right click menu.
  • Properties – Edit the scenario notes and other scenario properties.

The options available in the drop-down menu are context sensitive dependent on the scenario status. For example, the PASTE option will not be available if you have not previously copied or cut a scenario.

Note Tool availability will also be affected by the type of scenario you have selected.

Custom Scenario Types may not allow certain operations and will disable the corresponding tool. For more, see Custom Scenario Types in the Xpress Insight Mosel Developers Guide.

Keyboard Shortcuts

There are several operations that can be initiated on an item selected in the Scenario Manager by using a key combination on the keyboard. Use the key combination that is appropriate for your operating system (Windows or Mac).
Key Combination Description
Ctrl+A/Cmd+A Select All items
Ctrl+C/Cmd+C Copy selected item(s)
Ctrl+X/Cmd+X Cut selected item(s)
Ctrl+V/Cmd+V Paste item(s) from Scenario Manager clipboard
F2/Enter Rename single selected item
Del/Backspace Delete selected items
Esc Close Scenario Manager, if no dialogs are open

Although all users have the basic ability to view and select scenarios, you must have authorization to use the Scenario Manager for other tasks such as deleting scenarios. Check with your organization's administrator as needed.

Covered Topics
  • Working with Folders in the Scenario Manager
    Scenarios for an app can be organized into different folders. You can create and move folders using Scenario Manager. You can also change the location of folders within Scenario Manager.
  • Importing Folders and Scenarios to the Scenario Manager
    You can use the Scenario Manager to import folders and scenarios.
  • Creating a Scenario
    This topic describes how to create a scenario and load the default input data.
  • Choosing which Scenarios are on the Shelf
    This topic describes how to use the Scenario Manager to select which scenarios are on the shelf and available to views in the app.
  • Loading Input Data to Scenarios
    Use the information in this topic to load data from an external source into selected scenarios on the shelf of the APP page.
  • Cloning Scenarios
    Versions of Xpress Insight prior to 4.54 allowed users to create a new scenario based on an existing scenario by using the clone feature. The Scenario Manager achieves the same result by using this copy–and–paste method.
  • Exporting Scenarios
    You can export a scenario from the Scenario Manager as an .insight file.
  • Moving Scenarios
    The Scenario Manager allows users to move scenarios within the app folder structure using the cut–and–paste method.
  • Deleting Scenarios
    You can use the Scenario Manager to delete scenarios that are not needed.
  • Editing Scenario Security Settings
    This section describes how you can edit a scenario's security settings from the Scenario Manager.
  • Editing Scenario Properties
    This section describes how you can edit a scenario's properties from the Scenario Manager.
  • Viewing a Scenario's Run Log
    This task describes how to view the run log of a scenario on the App page shelf. The log contains all messages output by the scenario when it executes a load or run operation for the app.
Parent Topic Insight 4 Web Client Help