Variable Properties
The Variable Properties dialog contains the following options:
Name
Specifies the name of the variable field. You can click the file folder icon to select a variable name from a list of available variables.
Data Type
Specifies one of the following data type options:
• Varchar—variable-length text, to 4096 characters
• Nvarchar—variable-length text, to 2048 characters
• Smallint
• Integer—a four-byte integer
• Float—a decimal number
• Money
• Date
Note: For multiline entry fields, select Varchar and specify the maximum length of the field. Selecting any of the other data types (Smallint, Integer, Float, Money, or Date) defaults to a single-line entry field. If Is Table Name is checked, the Data Type must be set to Varchar.
Length
Specifies the desired field length
Nullable
Specifies whether the variable field is nullable
Default Value
Lets you select either System or String as the default value
Format
Specifies single line or multiline format. This field is displayed when the selected Data Type is varchar.
Display Size
Specifies the display size
Set Maximum Characters
Specifies the maximum number of characters allowed by a single-line entry field's Format or Data Type
Rotation
Specifies the desired rotation in degrees. Changes to rotation appear only after the report is run.
Template
Is displayed when the selected data type is not varchar. Click the down arrow to display a list of available templates.
Expression
The entry fields in this edit control—Report's Header, Page's Header, and so on—accept expressions or values that may be assigned to the variable. These expressions can reference other variables and fields that are already defined.
The various locations listed—Headers, Detail Sections, Footers—represent the locations in the report where the assignment takes place. Expressions can be entered into all locations. If more than one location is specified, the Generate Print In field is activated for specifying the location from which the value is used for printing.
Is Parameter
Specifies a variable as a parameter of the generated report (in which case, the value of the variable is determined during the report execution). When a variable is a parameter, the EntryField prompt allows the variable name to be replaced by an explanatory phrase in the Print dialog.
Is Table Name
Specifies that the variable is a table name. If selected, the Data Type must be Varchar, and Is Parameter must be selected also. This field is view-only; the Query Editor controls the use of a variable as a table name parameter.
Report's Header
Lets the user enter expressions or values to be assigned to the variable at the report's header location
Page's Header
Lets the user enter expressions or values to be assigned to the variable at the page's header location
Detail Section
Lets the user enter expressions or values to be assigned to the variable at the detail section's location
Page's Footer
Lets the user enter expressions or values to be assigned to the variable at the page's footer location
Report's Footer
Lets the user enter expressions or values to be assigned to the variable at the report's footer location
Prompt
Specifies a prompt for a variable value when the Print Dialog Frame is called
Generate Print from
Indicates the location from which the value is used for printing. This field is activated if both Page Header and Footer are selected.