- Standard Reports  

 

1. Creating bookmarks based on groups to navigate your report while previewing

   While creating the report, select ivfrxReport1: TivrfrxReport from the Name and Component Type list from the Object Inspector window. Expand PreviewOptions. Set True to OutlineVisible.

   Index your report based on groups! Double click the Group Header to display the Group dialog box and select the "Show in Outline" checkbox to display the navigation pane in the preview mode. Now preview the report and the groups are shown in the navigation pane.

   
   
   
2. Changing the background color of a report
   • On the View menu, select the Options menu. The Designer Options screen displays
   • Click the Work Space button to view the Color window
   • Select the color. Click OK to view the background color of the report

   
   
3. Applying Page Break - Right click option

   If the data (pertaining to same record) takes up more than one line and cannot fit on the current page, you can uncheck this option to move the entire data to next page. This is similar to page break. This is a toggle option. If the option is checked, it allows to split the data between two pages.

   
4. Numbering your data

   Let us use our example in order to show how to number lines in the group. To perform this, let us add the Text object with a system variable [Line] to both of our bands. It is easier to perform this with the help of the drag & drop from the Variables tab under the Data Tree.
   
   When starting the report, we can see that both the data levels now have their numbers:

   
   

   In some reports, one might need continuous numeration of the second level data. To perform this, we should use the Line# variable instead of Line on the data-band.

   
5. Setting maximum reports while designing reports

   In the Data Options toolbar, enter the value so that the specified number of records appears in the report.

   
   
   
6. Conditional Highlighting

   Conditional Highlighting refers to highlighting the values that meet your conditions. This allows you to change certain display characteristics of the data contained in the report, such as the background color and font.

   1. Select the field to be highlighted. Click Highlight icon from the toolbar
   2. Set the condition for the field in the Highlight dialog box
   3. Preview the report and see the highlighted values as shown below

   
   
   
7. Applying a format of one field to another field
   1. Select the field whose format is to be copied. (For example, Revenue)
   2. Select the Copy Formatting icon
   3. Now, click the fields on which the formatting is to be applied as shown in the figure

   
   
   
8. Adding a URL link to a text field

   For any memo, a URL link can be added such that clicking on that text will launch the URL. This can be done by placing the appropriate URL link in the URL property of the field as shown below.

   
   
   
9. Setting database connection to online mode

   If the connection is not available in the Designer to the database, in the properties of the "datamodel (query)", set the "DataMode" option to "ivdmOnline". That way it will not try to connect to the database when the report is opened in designer.

   
   
   
10. Restricting the number of rows returned to the report during design time

    In the design pane, on the top, there is an option to restrict the maximum number of records retrieved to the specified value. By checking the checkbox "All records", all the records will be retrieved.

    Note:

    • Published reports will not inherit the maximum records setting.
    • Reports that are created in designer using the maximum records option and shared directly with other users will display the same number of records as retrieved in the designer.

    
    
    
11. Computing a new column with calculated data from already existing columns within the report

    Ex. In the Operational Metrics Report below, the column "% of Diff" computes the percentage difference between the columns "Year 2006" and "Year 2007". The image below shows the preview mode of the report.
    
    Design Mode
    
    Taking the row revenue, the % diff value is calculated using the formula (Difference between the years 2006 and 2007) / (value in year 2007), which is the (value of Memo6*100/value of Memo 4). Thus the input to the memo is "[((Memo6.Value) / (Memo4.Value)) * 100]" as shown below
    
    The image below illustrates how to find out the title of the memo number
    

12. Setting alternate colors for the rows in your report

    The standard report wizard allows you to set alternate colors for the rows of your report. Under the "Style" tab, check "Alternate color" to apply alternate colors.
    

13. Changing the Background Color of your Report

    • From the View menu, select Options to launch the Designer Options dialog box
    • Click the Workspace button to launch the Color window
    • Just select the color you need and Click "OK"! That's it!
      

14. Grouping data during design-time

    Launch the "Standard Report Wizard" by choosing "New..." from the File menu. After adding the desired fields, move to the "Groups" tab. Now just select the field you want to group the report by and add it to the Groups section. That's it!
    

15. Aligning report objects

    If you have multiple objects in your report layout, use the Alignment Palette to perfectly align them. Here are the options:
    Horizontal
    	Select this option to align the selected components to the left edge of the component first selected
    	Select this option to vertically align three or more selected components so that the middle components are equidistantly spaced between the outer components.
    	Select this option to align the selected components to the right edge of the component first selected.
    Vertical
    	Select this option to align the selected components to the top edge of the component first selected
    	Select this option to align the selected components) to the center of the window along a horizontal line
    	Select this option to align the selected components to the bottom edge of the component first selected
    Spacing
    	Select this option to align the selected components with equal horizontal space.
    	Select this option to align the selected components with equal vertical space.
    	Select this option to move the selected components horizontally until their centers are aligned with the component first selected.
    	Select this option to move the selected components vertically until their centers are aligned with component first selected
    	Select this option to set the same width as in the first selected object.
    	Select this option to set the same height as in the first selected object.

16. Rotating text objects

    A text object can be rotated at any angle! Just click the Text Rotation in the Text toolbar to quickly rotate the text to 0, 45, 90, 180, 270 degrees.

 

- Analysis Reports  

 

1. Moving the text automatically to next line

   Use Wrap text to move the words automatically to the next line that exceeds the preset line, so that you need not keep track of the line lengths.

   • Right click on the column header under which the texts are half hidden
   • Select wrap text from the pop-up menu; the wrap text option is enabled
   • You can find the text to be moved to the next line

   
   
2. Getting the Sequence Number (Row Number) for the generated report
   • Check the Show Sequence Number from the Grid Settings | Visibility
   • This option is to show/hide the serial number column that appear on the left most corner of grid report

   
   The Caption is applied to column footer as shown below
3. Applying caption for summary calculations in footer
   • Right-click on the column footer and select Summary Function from the menu
   • Select Caption option from the right click menu
   • Enter a caption for the summary function in the Caption field
   • Select a format for displaying the value in the column footer from Number, Date, Time and Symbol drop down boxes

   
   The Caption is applied to column footer as shown below
4. Saving data only

   Save Data Only - This option saves only the data and not the report formats.

   Select the Save Data Only checkbox in the Export Report dialog box. The report is exported without the report formats.

   
5. Grouping by range for a column

   This option allows you to group the report by the range, for the selected column. Group By Range option is available only for numeric fields.

   
   

   1. Right click the header band and select Group By Range from the pop-up list. The Range Grouping screen displays.
   
   
   
   
   2. Select Auto Range tab. The auto range section have the following two options.
      • Number of Groups - The reports are grouped in their range based on the entry and can be viewed under the Preview section.
      • Interval - Enter the interval, so that the range will be automatically created under the Preview section.
   
   
   3. Click OK to apply the changes.
   
   
6. Calculating Summary for column footer

   Footers are normally used to display summary information. Right-click the column footer. Select an option from the list (SUM) to display the sum of all the values. Select None from the list to remove the applied summary function.

   
7. Sorting a grouped column
   1. Right click on the column that is grouped
   2. Select Ascending or Descending to sort by ascending or descending order
   3. Select Sort by... to do custom sorting

   
8. Conditional Formatting a column

   To apply conditional formatting to any column, right click on the column header and select Highlight, point to New followed by the condition you want to apply.

   
9. Renaming a tab

   To rename the tab in Analyzer, right click on the tab and select "Rename Tab".

   
10. Formatting a column with currency information

    Right Click on the column header and click "Format". Now, select the category as "Currency", set decimal places, select the "Use 1000 separator (,)" check box, and click OK! The column "Amount" is now appropriately reformatted.

    

11. Adding a new band

    The report "Product Analysis" has the data grouped by Product Category and Product Name.
    
    If you want to see the total sales amount for the product Connan XT in the category Camcorder, you can simply apply the aggregation as shown in the image below
    
    If you want to see the total amount and, the average amount at the same time, the first step is to create a new band as shown below (Right click on the existing band and select New Band).
    
    Once the new band is created, you can now select the average as the aggregation and see both the total amount and average amount at the same time
    

12. Changing your report title

    Just right click on the main band, and select "Rename band...". Type in the new title and click "OK"! That's it!
    

13. Grouping your report by year, quarter, month or week!

    Here is an option that enables you to group your report based on a Date Field. Just right click on the Column Heading and select "Group by calendar.". Choose your grouping style as Year, Quarter, Month or Week. That's it!
    
    Here is the report after grouping...

14. Combining multiple text fields to create a new column

    Looking to combine multiple text fields and display them in a new column? For example, if "FirstName" and "LastName" are two different columns in your report, you can add a new column "Name" by just specifying a simple formula, 'FirstName'+'LastName'!
    

15. Creating custom filters

    Use custom filters and view only the information your current business situation demands. For example, you can define your own filters to view sales transactions that are greater than 500$ and lesser that 700$! Just choose "Custom..." from the drop down menu of the column, define your filter and click "OK"! That's it!
    

16. Aligning fields in a column

    Just right click on the column header, and select "Alignment".  Now just select the format you need. That’ it!
    

 

- Dashboard Reports  

 

1. Showing Widget Toolbar
   • After placing the widgets into the dashboard layout, click Preferences icon. Preferences screen displays
   • Select Show Widget Toolbar to display the widget toolbar
   • Select Minimize Toolbar to minimize the widget toolbar

   
   
2. Deleting a Widget

   The created Widget gets displayed under the respective widget types in the Dashboard Widget Explorer Pane

   • Right click on the widget. A pop-up menu displays
   • Select Delete option to delete the selected widget from the list

   
   
3. Customizing marks & labels for the chart

   Marks are values displayed at points plotted on the graph. Marks can also be sorted in Ascending or Descending order. Decimal places for the marks can also be selected in this screen.

   • Select Chart Properties > Marks & Labels tab
   • Under Marks group box, select the check box Enable Marks to display individual values of the chart
   • Set the Decimal Places to 1 from the drop-down list
   • Set the Scale as K from the drop-down list
   • Set the Currency as $

   
   
4. Renaming widget title
   • In the Widget explorer pane, right click on the widget, a list of options appears.
   • Select Rename option and enter your new title in the rename widget dialog box

   
5. Connecting null data

   Connect Null Data appears while working with charts like line, combination charts. Select this option to display the null values.

   
   

   • Right click on the chart and select Edit, point to Chart Properties.
   • Check Connect Null Data from the Chart Properties window.
   • Preview the chart to display the connected null values.

   
   
6. Renaming a Widget Layout

   Right-click on the widget and select Organize Widget Layouts. Now select the widget layout you want to rename and specify the new name in the Caption field. Click Apply and the layout is renamed.

   
7. Enabling animation in charts

   To enable animation for the charts in your dashboard, just click on the Preferences icon in the toolbox. Click on the Chart tab and select the Animate Charts option.

   
8. Adding comments to a widget

   Right click on the widget, select Edit and click Comments. Enter your comments in the displayed window.
   
   Note: Necessary role permissions should be available to comment on a widget

   

   Existing comments can be viewed by clicking on a blue square on the right top corner of the widget

   
9. Copying a widget as an image

   To copy a widget from a dashboard as an image, right click on the widget and select Copy. The image can then be pasted into any other applications, like your presentations or documents.

   
10. Exploring underlying widget data

    To view underlying report data just click the 'View Table' icon from the widget toolbar or right-click and select 'View Table'. You can now perform further analysis on this data.

    

11. Adding Dashboard Level Filters

    This is the sales analysis Dashboard - shows the widgets Product Sales by Category, Sales Volume by Product Category, and Sales Person Performance by Product Category
    
    If you want to apply filters at the dashboard level for all three widgets
    
    Step 1: Click on Filter Settings
    Step 2: Select the Sales Analysis Report from the left pane
    
    Step 3: View/Save Filter set to on, save
    Step 4: Create a new filter
    Step 5: Enter appropriate values, and click add
    
    
    Step 6: Save
    Step 7: Click on View Reports
    Step 8: Click report on left pane
    Step 9: Select appropriate filter to apply, and click on the view option (ex. View in OCX)
    Note: Two dashboard level filters have been created for this report. Images below show the result of applying these filters
    Filter1: Category = Camcorder
    
    Filter 2: Sales Person name = Joey Stone
    

12. Animating your Charts!

    To enable animation for the charts in your dashboard, just click on the "preferences" icon in the dashboard toolbox. Click on the 'Chart' tab and select the "Animate Charts" option! That's it! Wow your audience by animating your charts!
    

13. Deleting a widget layout

    Are you looking to organize your widget layouts? Need to delete unwanted layouts? Just right click on the widget and Select "Organize Widget Layouts". Now just right click on the unwanted layout and select "delete".
    

14. Knowing the who's & when's of your widget

    Right-click a widget & select "Widget Properties". Get a clear picture of who created or modified the widget, when was it created & last modified and also the number of records fetched from the database while the data model was executed!
    

15. Collaborating with your widgets

    Add annotations or notes with commentary on your widgets! Just right click the widget and select Edit -> Comments. Type in your comment or annotation and click "Add"! Increase collaboration and share personal insights!
    

16. Interacting on a Cached Report & reducing impact on the database server

    View the stored/cached version of your dashboard report by just checking the "Available Offline" option. You'll find this option on the top left corner of the browser. This option allows you to interact with your dashboard using near-real-time data, without having to connect to the database.