The repository is a hierarchical structure of folders where JasperReports Server, administrators, and users store resources for creating, running, and viewing reports. In its appearance and function, the repository resembles a file system with a structure of folders containing files. However, the repository is actually implemented as a database that is private to the server instance. As a result, it lacks a few of the functions of a file system.

Folder Structure

The root of the repository tree structure is accessible only to the system admin logged in as superuser in the commercial edition, or jasperadmin in the community edition. The tree contains the folders for each organization and folders for certain configuration settings.

In the repository, each organization has its own branch, contained in a folder named for the organization. Each organization’s top-level folder also contains a folder called Organizations where suborganizations are created.

The previous figure shows the superuser’s view, starting at root. The Organizations folder contains a folder for the default organization, named Organization. This figure also shows a second top-level organization. Commercial edition users logged in as jasperadmin will see a similar structure.

JasperReports Server automatically restricts every user’s access to their own organization’s branch of the repository. System admins (superuser) can view and create folders in all organizations, while organization admins (jasperadmin) can view and create folders only in the organizations they administer. In general, We recommend that you avoid placing resources directly in the root or organization folder. Instead, use folders for various resource types, as in the sample data.

Resources

Resources are stored in the repository and used as input for creating reports and performing analysis. Some resources, such as images, fonts, or JRXML files created in Jaspersoft Studio, are uploaded from files. Others, such as data sources and Domains, are created in JasperReports Server itself. Of course, dashboards, data views, and reports can also be saved in the repository to be run as often as needed. Output such as PDF or HTML can be saved in the repository as well.

All resources, including folders, have unique IDs, names, and optional descriptions. The ID of a resource, along with the ID of its enclosing folder comprise the path used to reference that resource. The name and description appear in the user interface when you browse or search the repository.

Resources are stored in an internal format not accessible to users or administrators. Any resource can be exported with the js‑export utility, but the resulting files are for backup or transfer to another JasperReports Server instance and cannot be modified.

JasperReports Server restricts access to folders and resources based on organizations, permissions, user names, and roles.

Sample Data

When you install the sample data in JasperReports Server, the default organization (Organization) has sample content. Below you'll see the system admin and organization admin views of sample the data.

The sample data includes dashboards, reports, Domains, data sources, and many of their components, such as input types and image files. Each type of content is stored in a separate folder, making it easy to locate. The Supermart Demo folder contains a complete example of dashboards, reports, and resources for various business scenarios in a fictional grocery store company.

The Public folder is a special system folder that appears at the root and in every organization folder. Its contents are shared with all organizations. The system admin should manage the Public folder and set permissions so that users can access shared resources (such as data sources, logos, and report templates) but not modify them.

Browsing and Searching

Users and administrators can browse or search the repository, depending on what action they want to perform and how resources are organized. Administrators have more actions available to them, such as creating resources. Searching the repository finds specific resources faster. For more information on browsing and searching the repository, see the JasperReports Server User Guide.

In Browse mode, the Folders panel on the left lists the folders in the repository and the Repository panel lists the contents of the selected folder. The tool bar in the Repository panel allows you to perform actions such as Copy, Cut, Paste, and Delete; select several resources in a same folder to perform actions in bulk.