Cognos is a business analytics tool that provides users with a single, self-service portal to access and produce reports, dashboards, and ad hoc queries quickly and securely. This powerful tool allows users to manipulate existing reports, drilldown to detail data, and conduct ad hoc analysis.

To gain access to Cognos data, please click on the link below for the Cognos-Argos Access Request Form and Instructions (an NU employee account is required to access the Request Form)

If you have access to Cognos, you may access it through the button below. Please know that if you are trying to log on and are NOT on campus, you will first need to be connected to the VPN. Please click here for more information.

Log on to Cognos

Data Cookbook

The Data Cookbook is Northeastern’s new data dictionary software, where you will be able to review a description of the Cognos package along with a listing of data items (“Definitions”) available in the package. In addition, the Data Cookbook also contains documentation for each of the canned reports available in Cognos, including proposed usage of the report, data items available in the report, and filters applied to the data; these are located under the “Specifications” tab within the Data Cookbook.

Data Cookbook

Finance

The Finance Business Functional Area folder contains data model packages and content that expose University financial information for analytic and reporting purposes, organized by subject area.

Research

The Research Functional Area folder contains the data model package and content that exposes University research proposal information for analytic and reporting purposes.

Training

We offer several options to help users get acclimated to the University’s latest reporting tool, Cognos, and the data accessible via this tool. Users can attend any of the trainings as soon as your Cognos Access Request Form has been completed. Please note that class size is limited to 12 attendees per session.

One-on-One Training

Request one-on-one or group introduction to Cognos training.

Introduction to Cognos

Find information and documentation on the basic functionality and features of Cognos that can be used to create simple reports.

Cognos User Group

This is an interactive Teams group dedicated to the Cognos reporting environment. Members are encouraged to submit their own topics for discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which web browsers does Cognos support?

Apple Safari 5.0
Apple Safari on iOS 5.x
Apple Safari on iOS 6.x
Google Chrome 21
Internet Explorer 7.0
Internet Explorer 8.0
Internet Explorer 9.0
Internet Explorer 10.0
Mozilla Firefox ESR 17.0*
* Instructions for installing Firefox ESR 17.0 when at a more recent release of Firefox can be found here

How do I fix the error "The webpage you are viewing is trying to close the tab"?

User should click the IE compatibility mode icon in their browser URL and retry.

How can I change a PDF report orientation ?

Go to the folder in which the report is located.
On the right side of the report name, Click on “Set Properties” icon under Actions section.
Click on the “Report” tab.
Click on the Checkbox next to “Override default values” under “Report options”.
Click on the “Set…” button under the “PDF options” section.
Select “Landscape” from the drop down menu for the “Orientation” and click on OK and Save the Changes.