...
- Type/Content tab is used to specify the field type and content,
- Parameters tab is used to specify the parametric properties of the field type,
- Format tab is used to specify the display, font and color information of the field type, and
- Orientation tab is used the specify the position of the field within the report (vertical, horizontal).
Besides the standard fields, the user-defined fields are also used in report layouts.
The "New" option of the Defined Fields list accessed by clicking the Defined Fields button is used to define new fields for the report. The name, type and usage type information of the field to be used in the report is entered in the Definition window.
The user defined fields may have the
- Text
- Number
- Date
- Time
- Currency
types.
The information recorded on the Defined Field window varies depending on the selected type.
The usage type of the information in the defined field within the report is specified in the Parameters, Format and Location tabs of the Field window accessed by selecting the New -> Data Field option located in the right mouse button menu of the New Report Design window. The options displayed here also depend on the field type and the selection made on the display section.
The Type and Name fields of the Defined Field window indicate the type and name of the defined field. Each field definition is saved with a different name. The currency information is saved in the Currency field for the fields of Number and Currency types.
The type and content of the added field is specified in the Type / Content tab. The following field types can be selected:
Text: The texts and column headings to be included in the report are typed by selecting this field type and inserted into the requested fields.
Standard Field: The defined fields that can be included in the report are displayed on the content field. The field to be added is selected and added to the report by clicking the "Save" button.
Defined Field: The user defined fields can also be used in the report along with the standard fields of the application. The standard fields can be linked to arithmetical operations in the defined fields. The fields to be included in the heading section, body and total fields of the report are selected from the defined fields list if applicable and added to the report by clicking the "Save" button. If there are no user defined fields, the Defined Field can not be selected.
Total: The totals to be included in the report are displayed on the content field. The total to be added is selected and added to the report by clicking the "Save" button.
Subtotal: The subtotals to be included in the report are displayed on the content field. The subtotal to be added is selected and added to the report by clicking the "Save" button.
Format Information
The font and style to be used in the field is specified on the Format tab of the Field window. The following properties are specified on the Format tab:
The information saved in the Display section varies depending on the field type (text, number, date, hour, currency, etc..)
The Font section is used to specify the font type to be used. The appropriate font is selected by clicking the arrow icon and the font size is specified on the Size field. The other font properties and defaults to be applied (compressed, underlined, color) are specified on the Fonts window accessed by clicking the "..." icon.
The Color section is used to specify the background color of the field. The color options are listed by clicking the arrow sign and the requested color is selected. In addition to selecting from defined colors, new colors can be defined and saved on the Color window accessed by clicking the palette window.
Certain added or updated parametric properties are recorded on the Parameters tab of the Field window. The properties to be applied to the relevant field are checked in the Parameters tab.
The position of the field on the form is specified on the Orientation tab by selecting one of the location types.