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Report Writer Libraries |
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A Report Writer library is a collection of layouts, parameter definitions and calculated field definitions that can be inserted into report definitions. This allows you to create layouts and definitions that can be inserted into multiple reports. The insertion is by reference only. The layout or definition is loaded dynamically whenever the report is opened or generated; therefore, if you change a library element, then all reports that use the element will automatically inherit the change.
The PxPlus Report Writer supports the use of multiple libraries, allowing flexible organization for the developer, as well as enabling separate libraries for the developer and user. Libraries are saved with a .pvrlib suffix.
To define elements in a Report Writer library, select New > New Library or Open > Open Library from the Report Designer File menu. A modified Report Designer interface is used to define a library.
The Report Library interface allows you to define parameters and calculated fields in basically the same way as for a report definition, and the report layout area is used to build individual layouts for the library. Functionality that does not apply to processing a library is disabled on the tool bar and menus.
A blank layout area is provided for creating a new layout when a library is opened. You can also clear the layout area by clicking the New button on the toolbar or by right-clicking on the Library Layouts branch in the data pane on the left and selecting New Layout from the popup menu. You can then add text, images, hyperlinks, data fields, etc. to the layout area and format them as you like. You can also add a list of data source fields to the data pane by selecting an input source.
Each layout must be given a unique name to identify it. To modify an existing layout, double-click on the layout name in the data pane, or select Open from the popup menu. The popup menu also allows you to delete or rename a layout, or create a new layout. Changes to individual layouts must be saved by clicking the Apply button before loading a new layout.
The number of columns in a layout and the width of a layout do not have to match the report definitions in which it is included. Columns are scaled to fit the report when outputting to the printer, PDF and Viewer. Output to the Clipboard, Tab-delimited files and HTML does not scale; therefore, columns may not be aligned.
If parameters or calculated fields are dropped on a library layout, be aware that their definitions would have to be included as library elements in any report in which the layout is inserted in order for them to be evaluated properly.
Parameters are defined using the same interface as used by the Report Designer. See Parameters.
Calculated fields are defined using an interface similar to that used by the Report Designer with the addition of an Input Source button that can be used to associate a data source with individual fields. This is so that field names from the source are available when creating formulas or conditions for translation values. See Calculated Fields.
It is possible to associate other Report Writer libraries with the library being defined by selecting Associate a Library from the Report Designer File menu.
Alternatively, you can select this option from the popup menu by right clicking on the System branch in the data pane. This allows you to embed layouts from other libraries within a layout from the current library.
Disassociate libraries using the Disassociate a Library option located on the Report Designer File menu or on the right-click popup menu in the data pane.
The first step in adding library elements to a report definition is to associate a library with the report. This makes the parameters, calculated fields and layouts of that library available to the current report. Associate/disassociate libraries as described previously. Default associations may be set up in Designer Options. Associated libraries will appear in the data pane with a list of their layouts. A maximum of 99 libraries may be associated with a report definition.
Drag a library layout onto a blank line of the report layout to insert a layout into the current report definition. The library and layout name will be displayed on the line, which will be locked to prevent modification.
To remove a library layout, delete the line, or select the line and use the Clear area option from the Report Designer Edit menu.
When the report is generated, the layout will be scaled so that its width will match that of the report in which it is embedded when outputting to a printer, PDF file or Viewer. Output to the Clipboard, Tab-delimited files and HTML files does not scale and therefore may not be aligned.
To add a library parameter to a report definition, invoke the Report Parameters window by selecting Data > Parameters from the Report Designer menu bar. Alternatively, right click on the System branch in the left data pane and select Define Parameters from the popup menu.
In the Report Parameters window, click the Library button located beside the upper grid to invoke the Select Parameter Fields window. This window displays a tree view where each main branch is a report library, and the sub-branches are the parameters defined within that library. The initial display will show all parameters currently selected on the right, and those not selected on the left.
To move selected items between the Available Fields and Selected Fields lists, either double-click or use the Add and Remove buttons.
You can also select an entire library by double-clicking the top-level library name. The Add All and Remove All buttons move all items in the list. You can also drag and drop selected items from one list to another.
Library parameters are displayed in a grid in the Report Parameters window prefixed by an * asterisk. The line entry is also locked to prevent alteration.
To add a library calculated field to a report definition, invoke the Define Calculated Fields window by selecting Data > Calculated Fields from the Report Designer menu bar. Alternatively, select the Define Calculated Fields option from the popup menu by right clicking on the System branch in the left data pane. Click the Library button located beside the upper grid to invoke the Select Calculated Fields window. This window is identical to the Select Parameter Fields window described above.
Library calculated fields are displayed prefixed by an * asterisk in the grid, and the associated information is locked.
After selection, parameters and calculated fields that have been selected from libraries are displayed in the Report Designer data pane where they can be dragged and dropped onto the report layout.