ProvideX Report Writer - PVX Plus Technologies Ltd. · PDF file · 2007-08-07Report Writer Enhancements V7.50 • Field descriptions nmu l oC/wo Rys•Ea selection t rope rgn i te

ProvideX Report Writerv7.50 & v8.00

Presented by:Jane Raymond

Presentation Outline

• Overview• V7.50 & V8.00 Enhancements

• Simplifying the Designer• New report features

• Sample Reports and Programs• Bundles and Packages• The Future• Questions and Answers

Overview

ProvideX Report Writer

• Add-on for designing and generating reports.

• Creates and manipulates layout of report like a spreadsheet application.

• Features:• Data drag & drop• Column/row sizing• Formula definition• Cell formatting

• Outputs to printer, PDF, HTML, ProvideX Viewer, Clipboard…

• Sorting rules• Data groupings• Data filters• External parameters

Report Writer EnhancementsV7.50• Field descriptions• Easy Row/Column

selection• Deleting report

definitions• Sort order case

sensitivity• Calculated fields• Locked footers• Filler line• Enhanced font• User-interface for

parameters

V8.00• File History• Enhanced menus & cell

selection• Row/column adjustment• Bulk edit cell attributes• Access to Views• Update tracking• Designer options• Paper size option• Scale-to-fit• Translation fields• Report Header & Trailer

Simplifying the Designer

• Making it easier for you to design your reports…

File History

• Select from recently updated report definitions

• Last 10 updated report definitions listed at bottom of Files menu

• File history stored in the pvxreport.inifile

Designing a ReportDesigning a Report

Update Tracking

• Date/time/user stamp added to report definition

Access to View Maintenance

• Direct access to View Maintenance from within the Report Designer• Suppressible

• Options:• Select a View• Update Current

View (i.e. the view currently selected for the report)

• View Maintenance

Defining the Data / Selecting the Input SourceDefining the Data / Selecting the Input Source

Field Descriptions

• Element names in the data pane now include a description(if available)

• Makes it easier for users to identify data fields that do not have meaningful names

• Includes parameters, data elements and calculated fields

Creating the Report Layout / Selecting Report ElementsCreating the Report Layout / Selecting Report Elements

Easy Line/Column Selection• Click on ruler area to select an entire line,

column or the entire report • Right click anywhere on ruler or layout area

for a pop-up menu

Creating the Report Layout / Editing the LayoutCreating the Report Layout / Editing the Layout

Adjusting Line/Column Dimensions

• Original method • Drag the edge of the line or column in the ruler

area to change the size

• Assignment method• Select the lines or columns and right-click to

access both the Line Height and Column Width items on the pop-up menu

• Enter the measurement to be applied

Creating the Report Layout / FormattingCreating the Report Layout / Formatting

Bulk Edit Cell Attributes• Edit several formatting attributes of a

range of cells at one time• Select a single cell to view all the

attributes of that cell


Bulk Edit Cell Attributes

• Different font attributes (name, style, size or orientation) can be set individually

• Changes can be applied to alternate cell definitions at the same time


Deleting Report Definitions

• Delete option added to File menu• File browse dialogue lists .pvr files, but any

kind of file can be deleted• Can delete from both client and server

• Can specify [wdx] in the path name

Designing a Report / Deleting Report DefinitionsDesigning a Report / Deleting Report Definitions

Designer Options

• Set preferences to govern the Report Designer environment

• Available from Options menu• Settings can be saved

• Stored in pvxreport.ini

Designer OptionsDesigner Options

Designer OptionsAuto DisplayAutomatically display HTML and PDF reports when generated in the Report Designer using the default browser and PDF reader .

Numeric FormatSpecify the default numeric format mask to use for group functions.

Testing ParametersTest mode restricts the number of records processed when a report is generated. Specify the number records to be processed and turn test mode on and off by clicking the Use test modeoption here or on the main Designer panel.


Designer OptionsDefault Row HeightSet the default line height (in inches or cm) for new reports and new lines. An Autosetting will determine the default line height based on the size of the default font. (Default is Auto.)

Default Column WidthSet the column width (in inches or cm) for new reports and new columns. Default is ½ inch or 1 cm depending on the Metric Ruler setting.

Units of MeasureDisplay the Designer layout using metric (centimeter) units.


Designer Options

• Font• Specify the default font, font size and font style to

use for new reports.


New Report Features

• New things your reports can do…

Sort Order Case Sensitivity

• Custom sort segments can be specified as case insensitive• Upper/lower case letters sorted together

Defining the Data / Sort SequenceDefining the Data / Sort Sequence

Calculated Fields

• Virtual report field• A named formula whose value is

evaluated and stored after each data record is read

• Derived from expressions created using data source elements, parameters, literals and other calculated fields

Defining the Data / Calculated FieldsDefining the Data / Calculated Fields

Calculated Fields

• Access from the Data menu

• Sequence reflects order of evaluation

Variable Name

Descrip-tion

Numeric or Text

Max. length

(incl. scale)

Select Formula

Enter the

formula

User-friendly formula interface


Calculated Fields

• Can be used on both sides of a comparison in a filter definition

• Use them as sort segments in a custom sort• Use them to define other calculated fields

• Listed in the data pane where they can be dragged and dropped on the report layout

• Can be used to create group functions


Translation Fields

• A type of calculated field• Different values based on different

conditions• For example, translate a boolean value

from 1 and 0 to “Yes” and “No”

• Each translation field has a set of conditions and corresponding translation values, as well as a Default value (with no associated condition) that is used if no conditions are true


Translation Fields

• Defining a translation field:

Select Translation from the Function list

Press + to add more translation

valuesClick to define

the condition

Enter a literal value or an expression

Priority 3


Locked Footers

• Group option to lock footers to the bottom of the page

• Multiple sequential groups can be grouped together at the bottom

Creating the Report Layout / Data GroupingsCreating the Report Layout / Data Groupings

Filler Line

• Fills the space between the last detail or summary line printed and the page footer (or page bottom)

Creating the Report Layout / Filler LineCreating the Report Layout / Filler Line

• Add the Filler line section• Optionally use the filler line with

each group footer and the detail line


Filler Line

Filler Line

• Fill in column lines, background colours, etc. to the bottom of the page

• Fills the gap by printing a single line whose y-coordinates are stretched from the last printed line to the top of the page footer or the bottom of the page


Report Header

If printed as separate page, you can include the page header and footer, centre the contents, include a blank page, or add to the page count.

• New report section• Printed once at the beginning

of the report• Use for title page, opening

message, etc.

Creating the Report Layout / Report Header and TrailerCreating the Report Layout / Report Header and Trailer

Report Trailer

If printed as separate page, you can include the page header and footer, centre the contents, or suppress printing it if the page count is uneven

• New report section• Printed once at the end of

the report• Use for closing message,

blank page, etc.

Creating the Report Layout / Report Header and TrailerCreating the Report Layout / Report Header and Trailer

Enhanced Fonts

• Most fonts (except raster fonts)

• Supported on printer, viewer and PDF output

v8.00• Ability to specify

non-resident fonts • Default font used

in section headers of report layout

• Ability to change selected font attributes using the cell bulk edit utility.

v7.50• Vertical fonts

Tx

Vertical up (90°) Vertical down

(270°)


Page Setup - Paper Size Setting

• Specify a paper size for your report

• Select from standard paper sizes• Default setting uses current printer

default• Applies to printer, viewer and PDF

output

Creating the Report Layout / Page SetupCreating the Report Layout / Page Setup

Page Setup – Paper Size Setting

• Generating a Report• Report Generator opens the output device

• Papersize=formNum is added to the OPT= clause when opening *WINPRT*, *VIEWER* or *PDF* unless paper size is set to Default

• Your program opens the output device• Use GetPageSetup$( ) method to return the string value

for the OPT= clause to OPEN the output device


Page Setup - Scale-to-Fit Option

• Column width, line height and font size are adjusted either up or down so the report will fit the page size


Page Setup - Scale-to-Fit Option

• Margins are maintained if set, or default to ½ inch if not set

• Caution• Select fonts that scale well• Define images with a Resize option


Improved Parameter Interface

• Seamless interface between the developer’s parameter entry interface and the Report Writer

• Parameter interface may be:• Program;Label• Panel library and panel• Default (uses built-in RW interface)

• Defined in Report Options/Custom Interfaces

Report Options / Custom InterfacesReport Options / Custom Interfaces

Improved Parameter Interface

• Program interface• ENTER Rpt$, Status$ [,P1$,…,P18$],ERR=stmtref

• Panel interface• NUM(ARG_1$) is the Report object identifier• ARG_2$ is Status$• ARG_3$ to ARG_20$ are the parameters

Report Writer User Interfaces / Custom Parameter InterfacesReport Writer User Interfaces / Custom Parameter Interfaces

Object Interface

• New and updated properties, methods and classes to support all the new features:LastUpdate$, ScaleToFit, GetPaperSize(),SetScale(), CalcFieldCount(), AddCalcField(), RemoveCalcField(), ClearCalcFields(), GetCalcField(), GetCalcFieldList$(), GetCalcFieldEvaluationString$(), GetCalcFieldIolist$(), EvaluateCalcFields(), GetConditionDescription$(), etc.

Object-Oriented InterfaceObject-Oriented Interface

Sample Reports and Programs

• Sample reports available in App2007 on the Direxions 2007 CD:

• Also see DoReport, RWuserlogic.pvc, reportparams, and reportsort programs

Bundles & Packages

• As of v8.00, the Report Designer will be included as part of the ProvideX Professional and eCommerce bundles

• Still available as add-on package 20012 with site or per-user licensing

The Future

• Possible items for consideration:• More Detail groups, page breaks in Detail

section, new border styles, more Designer options, 1 of nnn paging, embedded Views, dynamic charts, etc.

• The great majority of enhancements for the Report Writer are derived from suggestions by you...

... If you have any ideas, wishes or suggestions, please let us know ...

Questions and Answers

THANK YOU!

End of Presentation

Documents

ProvideX Report Writer - PVX Plus Technologies Ltd. · PDF file · 2007-08-07Report Writer Enhancements V7.50 • Field descriptions nmu l oC/wo Rys•Ea selection t rope rgn i te