next up previous contents
Next: 8 Running a Report Up: DataVision version 0.2.0 Previous: 6 The Anatomy of   Contents

Subsections

7 Editing a Report

This section briefly describes the most common actions performed when editing a report. For a complete description of the DataVision GUI, see Section 9, The DataVision User Interface.

Fields have popup menus. Sections have popup menus. The section labels on the left side have popup menus.

7.1 Adding Fields

To add a database field, formula, parameter, subtotal, or special field to a report, select the corresponding menu item from the Insert menu. The Field Picker window will open, allowing you to select and drag a field from that window onto the report.

The Field Picker window also lets you create new formulas and parameter fields. Use the New Formula... or New Parameter... menu items from the Field menu.

To add a static text label, select Text from the Insert menu. The cursor will turn into a text cursor. When you click the mouse in any section, a new editable text label will appear.

See Section 7.5, Subtotals for adding running subtotal fields.

7.2 Selecting Fields

To select a field, single-click it. To select more than one field, hold down the shift key while selecting the fields.

Not yet implemented: You may also select fields by clicking and dragging a selection box with the mouse.

7.3 Removing Fields

To remove a single field, select it and hit the delete or backspace key. Not yet implemented: You may also right-click on the field and select Delete from the popup menu.

7.4 Moving and Re-sizing Fields

Click and drag a field to move it. Drag the edges to re-size it. Moving and dragging operate on the current selection, so if multiple fields are selected they will all be moved or re-sized.


7.5 Subtotals

To create a new subtotal field, either right-click on a field and select Subtotal... from the popup menu or select Subtotal... from the Insert menu. A dialog box appears that lets you select where you would like subtotals to appear for this field. The choices are Grand Total (appearing in the report footer), All (appearing in every group footer and the report footer), and Group (appearing in one group that you select from a menu of groups).

7.6 Parameters

Double-clicking a parameter field, either in the Report Design window or the Field Picker window, opens the dialog box appropriate for the parameter type (string, number, or date). Alternately, you can right-click on the parameter field in the Report Design window and select Edit... from the popup menu or you can select Edit Parameter... from the Field menu in the Field Picker window.

To be written.

7.7 Formulas

Double-clicking a formula field, either in the Report Design window or the Field Picker window, opens the formula editor dialog box. Alternately, you can right-click on the formula in the Report Design window and select Edit... from the popup menu or you can select Edit Formula... from the Field menu in the Field Picker window.

The main text pane in the dialog box that is opened lets you edit the text of the formula. For more information about this dialog see Section 9.4.7, The Formula Editor Dialog.

For a description of the simple formula language, see Section 6.3.1, The RPN Mini-Language.


next up previous contents
Next: 8 Running a Report Up: DataVision version 0.2.0 Previous: 6 The Anatomy of   Contents
Jim Menard 2002-04-18