Highlights
- Simple summary report setup.
- Custom terms.
- Scope setup.
- Date
scale grouping.
Project file: InstallDir/Samples/TARGET
Reports/1.1 Summary.report
Let's start by creating an empty report element by double-clicking on the
Table Setup resource template or by dragging and dropping it onto the page. (See
Step I for details) Now we can connect the report
element to an input data source (the sample NorthWind database located in
InstallDir/Samples/NorthWind.mdb).
- Launch the database
connectivity dialog by pressing the Open Data Source button on the report
element (
) or Open
Data Source button on the Data Source property editor
(
).
- Select the "File"
tab on the database connectivity dialog.
- Select a folder
where your database file is located ("Samples" folder).
- Select a database
(NorthWind.mdb database).
- Select a database
table ("Orders" table).
- Click "Open" to
connect to the data source.

After the input data source is initialized we can start manipulating the
database fields to define a reporting scope, custom fields, and report
setup.
Switch to the Scope property editor to define the
scope for the reporting element.
- Drag-and-drop as
many fields as you need to define your filtering criteria
- Select a logical
operation for each field
- define a constant
value or another field for a binary logical operation
- enter an arbitrary
SQL expression for scope definition if you need a query beyond the one that can
be provided in steps 1 - 3. (See Scope property
editor)

Now we are going to create a simple calculated field which converts a USD
price to GBR price. (See dictionary editor)
- Enter a name for the
new calculated field: Price GBR
- Provide a definition
for the new calculated field as "Freight * 0.56"
The next step is to set up the grouping and reporting fields.
- Drag-and-drop the
"Region" field to define the first grouping level.
- Drag-and-drop the
"Order Date" field to define the second grouping level.
- Drag-and-drop the
"Price USD" and "Price GBR" to define reporting fields.
- Drag-and-drop
aggregate functions for statistical calculations over a reporting field. (See aggregate
functions description)

The report setup is ready. However, before we generate the report, let's use
an auto date scale for the second grouping level.
Switch to Group/Scale property editor,
select "Order Date" in the "Group" combo box or just highlight it in the report
element.
- Select the scale
type (in our case, an Automatic scale).
- Select an
appropriate range unit (Quarter).
The scale setup is finished.

To add a graphic presentation of the report, let's copy and paste the table
report element (select the report element, press Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V or drag and drop
the element while pressing Ctrl) and convert the copy to a Line Graph. (See Layout Types)
Click the Run button
on the toolbar to generate the report.
Related Sections