15. Creating Reports in OpenROAD : How You Can Design Report Documents : How You Can Create Data Fields : Create a Variable Field
 
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Create a Variable Field
The variable field creation option is only for fields whose value is obtained by explicit assignment rather than by SQL selection. Variable fields are created and managed by the user. They correspond to local variables or parameters in the generated 4GL procedure.
You can create variable fields in the Variables List dialog.
To create a variable field
1. Click Insert, Data Fields, Variable Field.
2. Click in the work area and drag the cursor to draw a field (rectangular area).
The Variables List dialog appears.
Note:  The Variables List dialog lists all existing variables. If there are no available variables, the Variable Properties dialog appears automatically also, letting you choose an appropriate variable or create a new variable.
3. Select the desired variable from the Variables list.
4. Click Create Field (or Create Param).
The variable field is added to the report document.
To create a new variable
1. Click the N (New Variable) button on the right side of the Variables List dialog.
The Variables Properties dialog appears.
2. Set the variable properties as desired.
For more information, see Variable Properties (see Variable Properties) and Modify Variable Field Properties (see Modify Variable Field Properties).
3. Click OK to create the variable and close the Variable Properties dialog.
You are returned to the Variables List dialog.
4. (Optional) Click Edit Variable to edit a selected variable or Delete Variable to delete a selected variable.
5. Click Close, or click the N button to create another new variable.
When you click Close, the report document appears.
Clicking Close does not cancel or discard changes made. Variables are created and edited by calling the Variable Properties frame (New Variable and Edit Variable buttons). Variables are deleted (Delete Variable button) permanently after confirmation if they are not in use.
When the Variables List dialog is opened as a result of choosing to create a variable field or table parameter, any changes made to variables are kept whether you select Create or Close. Selecting Create associates the selected variable with a field or table parameter; selecting Close simply aborts the association but does not affect any changes made to variables.