Download Design Helper (BI Publisher Desktop)

Purpose:  Use this document as a reference to download Design Helper

Audience:  Communication builders

Overview

BI Publisher Desktop is a standalone Java-based reporting tool that allows you to create and modify Microsoft Word and Excel templates using XML data. It is used to design customized reports for PeopleSoft. ⚠️BI Publisher Desktop is only compatible with Microsoft Office for Windows.

Prerequisites

Before installing BI Publisher Desktop:

  • Microsoft Office (32-bit or 64-bit) must be installed.
  • The BI Publisher Desktop version must match your Microsoft Office version, not your Windows version.
  • Close all Microsoft Office applications before installing.

Step 1: Determine Your Microsoft Office Version

  1. Open Microsoft Word.
  2. Select File.
  3. Select Account.
  4. Select About Word.
  5. Locate the version information in the About Microsoft Word window.
  6. Note whether Office is:
    • 32-bit.
    • 64-bit.

➡️A 64-bit version of Windows does not necessarily mean you have the 64-bit version of Microsoft Office.

About Microsoft Word window showing Microsoft 365 Version 2604, 64-bit edition.

Step 2: Download BI Publisher Desktop

  1. Open the Design Helper page.
  2. Select the version that matches your Microsoft Office installation:
    • 32-bit.
    • 64-bit.
  3. Select Download Now.
  4. Save or locate the installation file (typically in your Downloads folder).
Design Helper page with MS Office 64-bit selected in the BI Publisher download menu.

Step 3: Install BI Publisher Desktop

  1. Close all Microsoft Office applications.
  2. Open the downloaded and unzip the BI Publisher installation file.
  3. Follow the installation wizard to complete the installation.

➡️You may also need to download Java Runtime Environment (JRE) if it is not already installed on your system.

Extract Compressed Folder window with destination folder, Extract button, and show files option.

Verify the Installation

Microsoft Word

  1. Open Microsoft Word.
  2. Verify that a BI Publisher tab appears on the Ribbon.

Microsoft Excel

  1. Open Microsoft Excel.
  2. Verify that a BI Publisher tab appears on the Ribbon.

➡️If the BI Publisher tab appears, the installation is complete.

Microsoft Word ribbon showing the BI Publisher tab after successful installation.

Troubleshooting: If the BI Publisher Tab Does Not Appear

Enable COM Add-ins:

  1. Open Word.
  2. Select File > Options > Add-ins.
  3. From the Manage drop-down list, select COM Add-ins.
  4. Select Go.
  5. Verify that BI Publisher is:
    • Checked.
    • Displays Load at Startup (Load Behavior).
  6. If it does, select OK.
COM Add-ins window with BI Publisher Template Builder for Word 64-bit selected and enabled.

Enable Disabled Items

If BI Publisher is not listed under COM Add-ins:

  1. Return to File > Options > Add-ins.
  2. From the Manage drop-down list, select Disabled Items.
  3. Select Go.
  4. If BI Publisher appears:
    • Select it.
    • Select Enable.
  5. Restart Microsoft Word or Excel.
Word Disabled Items window listing the BI Publisher Template Builder add-in as disabled.

Installation Complete

BI Publisher Desktop is now installed and ready to use.

You can now:

  • Create RTF templates in Microsoft Word.
  • Create Excel templates in Microsoft Excel.
  • Design and modify BI Publisher report templates for PeopleSoft.
The image displays an RTF document with merge fields.

Quick Navigation Reference

Task Navigation
Download BI Publisher Desktop Reporting Tools > BI Publisher > Setup > BIP Designer Client Tools
Check Office Version Word > File > Account > About Word
Enable COM Add-ins Word > File > Options > Add-ins > Manage: COM Add-ins > Go
Enable Disabled Add-ins Word > File > Options > Add-ins > Manage: Disabled Items > Go

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