Design a report - Basic example

In this topic, a basic step by step instruction is provided on how to create a Report in FlexGrid Designer, using the built-in third party tool called XtraReports:

1. Select a Model, sub-system, of Part in the FMECA-tree,

2. Start the FlexGrid - Designer screen from the menu bar

   Select the View that should form the starting point of the report; in this example we will use the View called Assets Overview.

   

3. Start the Report designer by clicking the button Design report:
   

4. The report designer opens as a second window, displaying a design pane with tools to format the report. The initial design is based on the View created with the FlexGrid Designer.

   

5. Adjust the page size of the Report to make sure the information will fit and meets the size of the output medium, such as letter-sized paper: In the Report Explorer window (right) choose the top level (viewReport1) to show the report details in the Property Grid (below right). In section 'Page Settings', select the paper kind, and choose Custom. You may then define any height and width, which will allow you all initial flexibility to make a first design. Later, you may adjust the size to the final output size.
   
   

6. Extend the basis design, by including 'bands', such as a report header and footer
   

7. For each band, add information, such as header texts, a logo, a title, etc. Add a page number and other texts in the footer (see instructions below).

   

8. In 'band' Details add extra field if so desired. Then format them, change column-widths, change font types, sized and colors, using the properties in the Property Grid in the Report Designer. The following screen shot is an example of how to add a field. A similar action should be done in the pageHeaderBand, to match the column heads with the fields below.

   

9. If desired, rename the columns: Press the small arrow on top of the field to change its properties:
   - Rename the header field by changing the name in field Text
   - Keep (None) in the field Data Binding to make an unbound column (see step 11), or choose a database field to add extra database field to your report.
   

10. Optionally, add 'unbound columns': these are columns with calculated values, based or not based on database values: see example below

11. At any moment, preview the results so far by using button Preview.
    
    

12. Save the report explicitly by clicking the Save button. This will bind the report to the View, so it can be opened later from the FlexGrid View screen.

13. Print the report, or save it as a pdf- (print-button), or as a html-file (button HTML View)

Adding elements to a report

On the left of the Designer screen there is a vertical bar with buttons which allow you to add additional elements to your report, such as text blocks, tables, lines, forms. Some other features include adding page numbers and pictures. These two elements are discussed further below.

Adding page numbers

To add page numbers to a header or footer of the report, a special button is available. This button will generate a automatically formatted 'page of page number' text block which can be placed anywhere on the report. The logical place would be on the Page footer. The basic steps for this are shown here:

Adding a picture

You may also include pictures in your report, e.g. a log in the report header. The basic steps are shown below.

Adding a field in the band 'Details'

The band 'Details' contains the database fields that populate your report. The available database fields can be found on the right side of the screen. For each database field many properties can be filled.

Adding Unbound columns

Another possibility is to add a column that will contain a calculated value, not a database value, a unbound column. Defining the value of the column fields is done using a comprehensive calculation module, containing formulas and access to the database fields, if required.

To fill an unbound column with values, you first need to create a Calculated field in the field list. This can be done as follows:

14. Open the field list of the Detail-band, by right-clicking the button Field list.

15. Create a Calculated field by right-clicking the data-set and choosing option 'Add Calculated Field'
    
    

16. Make room for this field in the report by right-clicking a cell and choosing 'Insert > Column To Left'
    
    

17. Now edit the calculated field by searching for it in the field list and right-clicking it , then choose for option 'Edit Calculated Fields...'
    
    

18. Create an expression using the Expression-editor by clicking on the button '...' next to the word Expression.
    
    

19. The Expression-editor offers extensive possibilities to define calculations
    
    

20. Close the Expression-editor using the OK button and preview the results of the expression using the Preview button.

Other sources

More example can be found on the website of the manufacturer of the reporting-module: Devexpress. Please find some useful hyperlinks below:

Disclaimer: As these are third party tools, AVEVA cannot guarantee the availability of any of the documentation or videos listed.