Oracle BI-Extract Employee Photo using Dynamic Blob

Last Updated On January 6, 2026
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kovaion
5 minutes to read

On a normal day for the HRBP, would not be nice for him/her to have the Profile photo of all employees so it would be nice to communicate with them in personalized mail on inviting them for special occasions or recognize them for their brilliant efforts.

But how they can extract all the Pic or documents of the employee? Via Oracle BI using Dynamic Blob.

BI Publisher (Oracle Business Intelligence Publisher) is a powerful reporting tool. The one main unexplored update on BI Report includes pixel-perfect reports, interactive reports, and personalized documents. This capability empowers HRBPs to go beyond standard communication methods and establish deeper connections with employees. The combination of pixel-perfect reports, interactive elements, and personalized content elevates the quality of communication and engagement within the organization.

In this blog, let us explore the scenario of generating a personalized document that is easy to use, including photos of the employees, and using the bursting feature to send them to the employees for their birthdays or anniversaries.

 

Here are the steps to generate a BI report for an employee profile using Dynamic Blob:

 

STEP 1: To create a data model, Navigate Tools -> Report and Analytics.

Report-and-Analytics
Fig.1: Report and Analytics

 

STEP 2: Click on CREATE in the Top Right corner, select ‘Data Model’, and Choose SQL Query Option.

Creating-a-Data-model
Fig.2: Creating a Data Model

 

STEP 3: Write a SQL Query to get employee profile details from the PER_IMAGES table.

Fetching-SQL-query
Fig.3: Fetching SQL query

 

STEP 4: When we run this SQL query, the Output will be shown as below.
We must click on EXPORT to download the result in an XML File.

Running-the-sql-query
Fig.4: Running the SQL query

 

STEP 5: Create an RTF template with the fields mentioned in SQL Query (Data Model).

Creating-RTF- Template-For-the-data-model
Fig.5: Creating RTF Template For the data model

 

STEP 6: While creating the RTF file, Click on BI Publisher –> Sample XML –> Dialog box opens.

Open the XML file downloaded by running the SQL query in STEP 4.

Inserting-the-XML-file-to-RTF
Fig.6.1: Inserting the XML file to RTF

 

XML-file-insertion-successful
Fig.6.2: XML file insertion successful

 

Step 7: Once the XML file is connected, we must add a table by using the table wizard and continue the process – select the fields to be displayed on the report.

Preparing-the-template-with-the-fields-from-the-sql query
Fig.7.1: Preparing the template with the fields from the SQL query

 

Preparing-the-template-with-the-fields-from-the-sql query
Fig.7.2: Preparing the template with the fields from the SQL query

 

Preparing-the-template-with-the-fields-from-the-sql-query
Fig.7.3: Preparing the template with the fields from the SQL query

 

Preparing-the-template-with-the-fields-from-the-sql-query
Fig.7.4: Preparing the template with the fields from the SQL query

 

Step 8: Now the template is ready for the report generation.

Template-created-for-report-generation
Fig.8.1: Template created for report generation

 

Click on Field Browser, to give a syntax for the employee profile.

 

Inserting-syntax-for-employee-profile
Fig.8.2: Inserting syntax for employee profile

 

Step 9: This is the last column that we want to display as an image. So, we must use a syntax called “fo: instream.”

Adding-syntax-to-display-in-Image
Fig.9: Adding syntax to display in Image

 

Step 10: Now the generated RTF layout file needs to be uploaded.

Uploading-RTF-file
Fig.10: Uploading RTF file

 

Step 11: While uploading the layout file, we must fill in the layout name, choose an RTF template specify the type given as ‘RTF’ template, and choose locale as ‘English’.

Setting-up-RTF-file-type-and-file-name
Fig.11: Setting up RTF file type and file name

 

Step 12: Once the RTF layout is uploaded, the data model needs to be linked with the report.

Linking-data-model-with-the-RTF-layout
Fig.12: Linking data model with the RTF layout

 

Step 13: Once the data model is linked, clicking on ‘View Report’ gives us the BI Report with Dynamic BLOB Image.

Viewing-the-BI-Report-with-dynamic-BLOB-image
Fig.13.1: Viewing the BI Report with dynamic BLOB image

 

Viewing-the-BI-Report-with-dynamic-BLOB-image
Fig 13.2 Viewing the BI Report with dynamic BLOB image

 

Bottom Line:

Oracle BI’s dynamic BLOB extraction empowers HRBPs to enhance communication, engagement, and recognition. Integrating employee profile photos into personalized documents allows for stronger connections, milestone celebrations, and improved satisfaction. This, coupled with Oracle BI Publisher’s features, transforms HR engagement by fostering appreciation and connectivity. The ability to generate personalized documents with photos and the bursting feature strengthens employee-organization bonds. This innovative approach through Oracle BI offers HRBPs new avenues to inspire, engage, and create a vibrant workplace.

 

Author: Gowri Perumal, Oracle Fusion Consultant