The information within the report is inserted in the appropriate section using the New -> Data Field option located in the right mouse button menu. If the report is generated using standard design, the changes made to the field properties of record sections are recorded using the Update option. User defined fields can be used in the reports along with the standard fields of the records and slips.
The parametric or format properties of the added field are recorded in the relevant tabs of the Field window.
- 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.