Addressinator! uses the XtraReport designer to provide end-user report editing capabilities. The control's methods and properties provide easy access for saving and loading report layouts, monitoring and controlling the design environment, and customizing the look and feel.
As Addressinator! has the unique feature to internally customize reports, Addressinator! comes standard with a few basic report templates for common labels from which you can easily create and customize reports for your exact needs.
This is a unique feature as not only can you customize the layout but you can customize what data fields appear on the reports and more. Most software programs that state they include internal reporting do NOT include the ability to change data fields – Addressinator! does. And includes it in a very easy to understand format – just drag and drop the field onto the report designer.
To access the Report Designer select File -> Report Designer:
When you first open the Report Designer, everything is grayed out because a template is not yet opened
Select the menu File -> Open (or the toolbar option Open) to open an existing report template so that we can continue with the information on the features.
The Report Designer consists of the following layout elements:
| 1. | Properties Represents the Properties Window in the report designer. This window is used to change some of the properties of the report elements (bands and controls) by the end-User. Click on a field in the design panel, and properties for that specific field will display |
| i. | NOTE: The report designer Wizard is located at the bottom of this tab |
| 2. | Report Explorer Represents the Report Explorer tree in the report designer. It shows a report's structure in a tree form and provides easy navigation through the report. |
| 3. | Field List Represents the Field List tree in the report designer. This tree shows the structure of the dataset which is bound to the report currently being edited in the End-User Designer, and is used to bind report controls to data. You can drag fields directly onto the design area. |
| 4. | ToolBox Represents the Toolbox in the report designer. This toolbox contains all the report controls and is used to drag and drop new controls onto the report's area. |
| 5. | Menu Represents the main menu where you save any customizations, or delete the report template. |
| 6. | Formatting ToolBar Represents the Formatting Toolbar in the report designer. It contains some default buttons for manipulating text. Note that this toolbar can also be used when a control's text is edited via the In-Place editor. |
| 7. | Design Panel The main element in the End-User Designer which allows a report's layout to be edited. It contains two rulers, design and preview tabs, a status panel and the current report's surface, including its bands and controls. |
| 8. | Preview To view results of what you have presently designed. Very useful as you do not have to close the report template while it is in design mode to test it out |
When discussing aspects of customizing report templates, we encourage use of this terminology so everyone is in the same loop.
If you are having a hard time seeing the Properties tab for a specific field, you can expand the width quite easily.
