Set Report Document Properties
The first step in designing a Reporter document is to give it a name. Next, if necessary, you change the generation options. Then you select the type of presentation, page size, and page orientation.
You can design a report in the Reporter Document Properties dialog.
To begin designing a report
1. Type a name for your report in the Name field.
When you tab out of the Name field, Generation Options are set automatically. The 4GL Procedure Name is the name you gave to the report, prepended with "P_". The Print Panel Name is the name of the report prepended with "F_".
2. (Optional) Enter a short remark.
If you want to include a longer comment, click Long Remark.
3. (Optional) Edit the Generation options—the 4GL Procedure Name, the Print Panel Name, and the Database Name—if desired.
4. Click the icon for the desired report presentation type—Form Layout, Tabular Presentation (the default), or Page Layout.
For an explanation of these fields, see Document Properties.
5. Click the icon for the desired page orientation—Portrait (default) or Landscape.
6. Select values for Format, Unit, and Margins, or accept the defaults.
For an explanation of the available options for these fields, see Document Properties.
7. Click Query Definition to access the Query Editor for a Form or Tabular report.
Note: You may defer this step until later; however, you must define a query before creating data fields. For more information, see How You Can Define a Query.
Document Properties
You can set the following properties in the Reporter Document Properties dialog:
Name
Defines the document name, which may be any unique name
Limits: 32 characters maximum
IMPORTANT! You cannot change Document Name or Page Configuration after document creation. Use the Save As command to save your report under a new name.
Short Remark
Specifies a brief description of the document
Limits: 50 characters maximum
4GL Procedure Name
Specifies the name of the generated 4GL procedure (report source code). When you enter a Name, a default procedure name is created automatically: the report name prepended with "P_".
Print Panel Name
Specifies the name of the generated user window that launches report execution. When you enter a Name, a default Print Panel Name is created automatically: the report name prepended with "F_".
Database Name
Specifies the name of the database from which table information for the report is obtained.
The report definition is stored in the database that Reporter initially connects to; however, for each document, you can specify the database from which table information is to be obtained for defining queries and creating fields. By default, this database is used when the report is run. When more than one open report uses the same database, connections are shared. If a report is opened that specifies a non-existent database, the default database is used.
Page Configuration
Specifies one of three available options, represented by icons at the top of the Page Configuration control box. The icons, from left to right, are:
Style | Description |
|---|---|
 | Form Layout report presentation allows one record of data per form (with multiple pages possible). Alternatively, a single form can contain only static fields. Form reports are suitable for forms of various kinds and for mail merges. |
 | Tabular Presentation allows columnar-style reports. The Tabular style is suitable, for example, for sales and inventory reports. |
 | Page Layout report presentation allows the creation of a template that includes only static fields. This template cannot be printed. |
IMPORTANT! You cannot change Document Name or Page Configuration after document creation. Use the Save As command to save your report under a new name.
Document Format
Specifies one of the following page size formats:
• European standard page sizes (in inches):
A3 (11.69 x 16.53)
A4 (8.26 x 11.69)
A5 (5.83 x 8.26)
B4 (10.12 x 14.34)
B5 (7.17 x 10.12)
A4 (8.26 x 11.69)
A5 (5.83 x 8.26)
B4 (10.12 x 14.34)
B5 (7.17 x 10.12)
• North American standard page sizes (in inches):
Letter (8.5 x 11)
Tabloid (11 x 17)
Legal (8.5 x 14)
Statement (5.5 x 8.5)
Executive (7.5 x 10)
Folio (8.5 x 13)
Quarto (8.47 x 10.83)
10 x 14
Tabloid (11 x 17)
Legal (8.5 x 14)
Statement (5.5 x 8.5)
Executive (7.5 x 10)
Folio (8.5 x 13)
Quarto (8.47 x 10.83)
10 x 14
Page Orientation
Specifies landscape or portrait orientation
Unit
Specifies unit of measurement in millimeters, dots, or inches. All the measures used by the graphic editor (except grid and duplicate spacing) are converted to the selected unit.
Units are used when generating OpenROAD Reporter source code. The PostScript unit (dot) generated from a pixel unit is approximately 1/72 inch.
Margin
Specifies a range of values for setting top, bottom, and right margins. Defaults are provided.
Long Remark
Opens an editor where you can enter a long comment. The editor contains three menus—File, Edit, and Format—that let you access Microsoft Notepad and Read from and Write to files. Edit commands let you search for text and cut, copy, and paste text. Format commands let you change fonts and font sizes in your remark.
Query Definition
Opens the Query Editor to define a query. For more information, see Define a Query.
Last modified date: 12/20/2023