Working with Fields

Field Types

There are nine main field types that can be added to a report section. Fields are added using the Available Fields Palette, which is accessible by clicking the Field Palette icon on the top toolbar while on the relevant section.

There are three generic icons available to select at the top of this form:

label icon

Label:

Click this icon and drag it into the section if you want to add a label to the report. This is used primarily to add report titles and general header/footer text, and to add column headings within the report body.

image icon

Image:

Click this icon and drag it into the section if you want to add an image to the report. Images are typically used to add company logos, or similar to a report.

shape

Shape:

Click this icon and drag it into the section if you want to add a shape to the report. Shapes are useful if you want to highlight certain portions of the report, or put a border around a block of information (for example, a customer name & address block for an invoice report).

The remaining six field types are added using the tabs within the Available Fields Palette form. They are:

Database Fields

These are fields available within the database. When the report runs, database fields displays the 'real-time' system value for the field. They are presented in a class list and you can drill down and make selections as required to add fields of this type to your report. When you are creating a new report, the database field list always open with the Company class as you should always be able to build up your requirements using this as the source class.

Parameters

Parameters are set up using the Report Parameters form. If a field of this type is added to a report, the value of the parameter entered at runtime, or determined internally, prints on the report. A list of the parameters you have defined will be available to select using the Parameters tab and you can drag and drop the field into the relevant report section.

Calculations

Calculations are set up and edited directly using the tab within the Available Fields Palette form. Calculations enable you to determine values that are not actually stored in the database, and add these to the report. A list of the calculations you have defined is available using the Calculations tab and you can drag and drop the field into the relevant report section.

Methods

Methods are used to retrieve a database value or collection that is not actually stored in the database. General report methods as well as those specific to the selected section displays in the Methods tab and you can drag and drop a version of the method into the relevant report section.

Others

Other field types are pre-defined based on standard information that is often required to display on reports, such as page numbers and a date/time stamp. These fields display in the Others tab and you can drag and drop the field into the relevant report section. Other fields available to add to a report include:

Company address fields
Company name
Company phone number
Date
Item count
Page number
Security mode
Time Stamp
Tree Branch Name (applicable if the report uses trees)

Totals

Total fields are only available to select using the Totals tab if you are positioned on a totals section, which is created when totalling options are selected for a section using the Section Properties form. Fields representing totals that apply to the section displays in the Totals tab and you can drag and drop them into the relevant position within the totals section.

Field Manipulation

To resize a field, select it by clicking on it with the mouse, and use the floating arrows to resize as applicable. You will know the field is selected because it will have a blue border around it.

To move a field, select it with the mouse and drag it.

To remove/delete a field, highlight the field, click the arrow button at the bottom right side of the field, and select Remove this field.

If you want to format a field, these options are available:

Use alignment icons situated on the baseline toolbar.
Use formatting icons situated on the baseline toolbar.
Use formatting options accessible using the Field Properties form.

You can select a single field, or multiple fields using the Shift key feature before applying a format.

Each field type has properties for it. To view field properties, double click the field or click the hand icon icon on the toolbar while on the field.