Information Technology Services

Training & Workshops

Mason has many MicroStrategy training options available. In addition to the options linked in the blue bar above, you can visit our Knowledge Base. The BI Group offers regularly scheduled instructor-led training.

MicroStrategy Report Consumer Video

This is beginner-level training for all new MicroStrategy users, and we recommend taking it before any of our other training. This is a 60-minute video you can view at your own pace or retake for a refresher at any time. In this training, you will learn how to:

  • Log in to MicroStrategy and navigate the interface
  • Understand folder structure and different types of reports
  • Run prompted reports and interact with results
  • Save changes or create a personal view
  • Export to PDF or Excel
  • Create an email subscription

> To register, go to the Mason MicroStrategy Report Consumer.

Note: You will need to log in to MasonLEAPS via Duo Authentication.

MicroStrategy Dossier Introduction Video

This 20-minute training video is a beginner-level introduction to MicroStrategy dashboards, also known as Dossiers. This training is for all MicroStrategy users, where you will learn how to:

  • Navigate the Dossier interface and switch between viewing modes
  • Use different panels, such as the Contents and the Filter panel
  • Understand different types of visualizations
  • Show underlying data or export

> To register, go to Mason MicroStrategy Dossier Introduction.

Note: You will need to log in to MasonLEAPS via Duo Authentication.

MicroStrategy Analyst Training

The BIS Group offers video recordings of two intermediate-level, instructor-led training courses for MicroStrategy Analyst Training. Both courses teach tools and features you can apply when using MicroStrategy reports for analysis. The skills learned can be applied to reports across all MicroStrategy projects, including Academic, Administrative, and Patriot Reporting. Recommended for users in a report analyst role who wish to learn more skills for customizing standard reports and using them to answer a business question.

 MicroStrategy Analyst for Grid Reports

This training focuses on MicroStrategy grid reports. In this 90-minute training, you will learn how to:

  • Use prompts, including a hierarchy prompt
  • Add or remove report objects to the grid
  • Pivot, Sort, and filter report results
  • Change attribute forms
  • Use subtotals and outline view
  • Create derived metrics
  • Export and save report results

> To register, go to Mason MicroStrategy Analyst for Grid Reports (Recording).

Note: You will need to log in to MasonLEAPS via Duo Authentication.

MicroStrategy Analyst for Dossiers

This training focuses on MicroStrategy Dossiers. In this 90-minute training, you will learn how to:

  • Use different panels in a dossier, i.e., Dataset panel, Edit panel, or Format panel.
  • Add or remove dataset objects to dossier visualizations
  • Use the Filter panel to filter report results
  • Change attribute forms
  • Unmerge row/column headers
  • Use subtotals and sort report results
  • Export and save dossier results

> To register, go to Mason MicroStrategy Analyst for Dossiers (Recording).

MicroStrategy Academic Analyst

In addition to the training above, we also offer a video recording of the original intermediate-level, instructor-led MicroStrategy Academic Analyst training, which focuses on academic data only and covers both grid reports and dossiers.
Note: This course teaches the same tools and features as the other Analyst courses, but it only uses reports in the Academic project.

> To register, go to Mason MicroStrategy Academic Analyst (Recording).

Note: You will need to log in to MasonLEAPS via Duo Authentication.

Report-Specific Training

The BIS Group offers the following training videos for specific MicroStrategy reports, for users who have permission to the listed data and whose work requires running the report. If you meet these requirements, contact the BIS Group by submitting a service ticket to request access to the training in MasonLEAPS. To get additional data access in MicroStrategy, follow the procedures for Getting MicroStrategy Access.

MicroStrategy Graduation Application Met/Not Met Report Training
  • This 75-minute video is a recording of an instructor-led training session on the Graduation Application Met/Not Met List report, which lists students who have applied for graduation and have met/not met the graduation requirements for the chosen term.
  • Data access to restricted Transcript data is required.
MicroStrategy Missing Grades Report Training
  • This 65-minute video is a recording of an instructor-led training session on the Missing Grades report, which provides counts and percentages of final grades and non-grades by course for the chosen term.
  • Data access to restricted Transcript data is required.

Librarian Training

In general, reports under the Shared Reports folder are created and managed by BIS. Users cannot create, modify, or delete reports in most Shared Reports subfolders. However, units have a designated folder where they can manage and share their own reports in the Academic and Patriot Reporting projects. This folder will be named for your unit (e.g., CEHD, Budget Office) under the following folders.

ProjectFolder NameLocation
AcademicAcademic Unit ReportsShared Reports > Academic Unit Reports
Patriot ReportingDepartment ReportsShared Reports > Department Reports

In addition, for the Patriot Reporting project, there is a subfolder within the Department Reports folder called Collaboration Workspace. It is a temporary working space designed for Librarians from different units to collaborate on report development.  Any user who has access to the Patriot Reporting project can run a report in this folder. 

One or more Librarians manage each unit-managed folder. They can copy or move reports from their My Reports folder or create new reports directly into this folder. In the Academic project, Librarians can control which users get access to their academic unit folder.  But in Patriot Reporting, Librarians must submit support tickets to request access for a new user. 

You can run the following reports in each of the respective projects to find out who the Librarians are for your unit:

ProjectReport NameLocation
AcademicAcademic Librarian GroupsShared Reports > Academic Librarian Groups
Patriot ReportingPatriot Reporting Department Folder GroupsShared Reports > Patriot Reporting Department Folder Groups

All Librarians should attend Report Consumer training and Report Analyst training. 

Business Process Training

Many groups on campus also offer specialized MicroStrategy business process training. We have provided links below to their training or general website. Please get in touch with the colleagues listed below if you would like more information about any specific business process training.

Business Process TrainingOfficeContactWebsiteNotes
PI Report and ReconciliationOffice of Sponsored ProgramsKimberly Mazehttps://osp.gmu.edu/resources/training/For Sponsored Programs
Banner Finance and MicroStrategy ReconciliationFiscal ServicesDan LabriolaManuals and Training Materials – Fiscal ServicesFor Non-Sponsored programs. Training information under tab “Financial Management and Reconciliation”
Research ReportingOffice of Sponsored ProgramsKimberly Mazehttps://ramp.gmu.edu/research-reporting/ For Research Reporting and RAMP (Research Administration Management Portal)
Student and Course EnrollmentEnrollment ManagementDan Fisherhttps://provost.gmu.edu/administration/enrollment-management Provides MicroStrategy student and course reporting information under tab “Business Intelligence”
HR Employee ReportingHR Technology Services (HRTS)Kate AstorMicroStrategy Employee TrainingThis is a 70-minute training recording in MasonLEAPS.