Report Designer

Employees will generate several documents, or Print Outs, while performing daily transactions in a system such as DEACOM. Examples of these transactions include producing goods, shipping finished products to customers, or purchasing raw materials from vendors. The documents generated as a result of these transactions might include a Job label indicating how much was produced, when it was produced, and any relevant Job-specific or item-specific data. Labels such as these will often be attached to the drum, pallet, or appropriate container used to store the goods in inventory. Another document example might be a Certificate of Analysis that is printed from an Inventory "Lots" report and indicates the Quality Control Tests and results for the selected Lot. When printing labels, users have the ability to enter print quantity, order qty, and other miscellaneous label information in the "labeluser1-3" fields from the Print Part Forms form. In DEACOM, the templates used to create these documents throughout the system are called Part Forms. Each Part Form is designed using Microsoft Word to allow for easy modification and design based on individual customer needs.

Additionally, DEACOM comes with a standard group of reports that handle essential print outs such as Vendor invoices, Sales Order confirmations, Job pick lists, bills of lading, and several others. Customers may use these default reports as delivered when processing transactions and print outs in the system or they can be replaced with configurable reports that allow organizations to meet their reporting and document needs. New reports cannot be added but existing reports can be modified.

The "Client Rendering" flag in the Report Designer is checked by checked by default. This flag helps in situations where users are experiencing delays in printing documents. If checked, this flag allows rendering on the device/client side as opposed to the server side. In this case, DEACOM will check the device/client side when verifying Active X Controls and appropriate drivers.

Pro tips regarding using the Report Designer include:

Modify a report in a test system, and once it is printing as desired, export the file. Then in the production environment, import the file - smooth transition.
Frequent exported backups are suggested on Report Layouts and Part Forms that are edited frequently.
Add the date of export to the name of the file to keep track of which version it is. Keep in mind that the upload file name is not retained after upload.

The below tips may be used for overlapping object selection:

Successive clicks on overlapping objects will cycle through them.
Ctrl+ clicks on overlapping objects will select/deselect all.
Selected objects can be dragged even if they are obscured by objects in front of them.
Double clicking on a selected object will bring up its edit form even if it is obscured by objects in front of it.

Note: the ability to print up subscript and superscript is enabled by using the following expressions:

Subscript - [sub]text[/sub]
Superscript - [sup]text[/sup]

In addition, Report Variables on Report Layouts and Part Forms have been enhanced to allow users to specify values prior to printing documents. If this feature is utilized, then the Report Parameters form will be displayed, allowing users to confirm default values, or if necessary enter new ones. Users can also specify if parameter entries are required.

System Navigation

Print Outs > Maintenance > Part Forms > "Modify" button > "Edit Doc" button
Print Outs > Maintenance > Report Layouts > "Modify" button > "Edit Report" button

Report Designer form

Opened via the "Edit Doc" button on the Edit Part Form form or the "Edit Report" button on the Printing Defaults form, the Report Designer is used to customize the documents generated via various functions in the system. It contains a toolbar, toolbox, and one or more sections that divide up the actual page.

Toolbar

Button	Description
Import Report	File explorer used to select the document that will be used throughout the system.
Export Report	Exports a copy of the document as it is currently designed.
Preview	Opens a form to select a record or a transaction to use as an example to generate a preview of the open document. Example: If printing a sample invoice, the Sales Order search box will be displayed so that the user can select an example Sales Order to generate.
Report Properties	Opens the Edit Report form, which is used to: Set margins, print area, fonts, and printers. Define how data will be grouped on the report. Define or modify user-defined fields for calculations or to store information. Order the Columns and Sort Methods. Note: When the "Report Properties" button is clicked, if any changes to the report or part form have been made the user will be prompted to save changes first.
Select All	If clicked selects and outlines all report objects to allow them to be moved, cloned, modified etc. All objects will appear as blue when this button is clicked.
Clone	Duplicates the selected object(s).
Modify	Opens the Edit Field form, which is used to define the contents and specifications of objects.
Delete	Deletes the selected object(s).
Bring to Front	Moves the selected item to the front-most position.
Bring Forwards	Moves the selected item forward.
Send Backwards	Moves the selected item to the back-most position.
Send to Back	Moves the selected item backward.
Align Left Sides	Aligns items to the left side of the section.
Align Right Sides	Aligns items to the right side of the section.
Align Top Sides	Aligns items to the top of the section.
Align Bottom Sides	Aligns items to the bottom of the section.
Align Vertical Centers	Aligns items based on their vertical centers.
Align Horizontal Centers	Aligns items based on their horizontal centers.

Edit Report form

Opened via the "Report Properties" button in the Report Designer Toolbar.

Layout tab

Used to set margins, print area, fonts, and printers.

Field/Flag	Description
Name	Displays the name of the document.
Orientation	Pick list used to dictate if the document is oriented Portrait or Landscape.
Page Size	Indicates the Page Size of the document when it is printed or viewed on screen.
Top Margin/Bottom Margin/Left Margin/Right Margin	Indicates the margin sizes of the document
Detail Bands	Indicates the number of detail bands that exist in the document.
Page Header Band	If checked, the report or part form will contain an editable page header.
Page Footer Band	If checked, the report or part form will contain an editable page header.
Title Band	If checked, the report or part form will contain an editable title band. The title band is a separate page.
Summary Band	If checked, the report or part form will contain an editable summary header.
Summary Prints As New Page	If checked, the report or part form will print the contents of the summary band as a separate page.
Include Page Header With Summary	If checked, the page header configured will be included in the summary.
Include Page Footer With Summary	If checked, the page footer configured will be included in the summary.

Data Grouping tab

Defines how data will be grouped on the report. Only available when modifying Report Layouts.

Variables tab

Used to define or modify user-defined fields for calculations or to store information. A variable could be added that would sum whatever field was needed for the report. For example, if the report needed to sum the quantities for a field, a variable could be added that would sum "fi_quant". Report variables can be set and used in Print When statements. Variables work in the title, detail, and header bands. In addition, variables can be evaluated as strings and not just as numbers. Note: Report Variables on Report Layouts and Part Forms have been enhanced to allow users to specify values prior to printing documents. If this feature is utilized, then the Report Parameters form will be displayed prior to printing, allowing users to confirm default values, or if necessary enter new ones. Users can also specify if parameter entries are required.

Report Variables form

Opened via the "Add" or "Modify" button on the Edit Report Variables tab.

Field	Description
Name	Defines the name of the variable. Since the variable name will be used in Deacom equations, it should not include spaces. Underscores are often used instead of spaces. When used as parameters, the variable name will also be used to ask the user to enter information, so the variable name should be chosen keeping that in mind. Also, hashmarks "#" in variable names will cause invalid expressions and should be avoided.
Parameter Type	Defines the type of field for the selected variable. This allows greater flexibility in report/part form design and supports the use of different field masks. Options are: None (default) Character Date Logical Numeric (NOTE: since numeric fields cannot be empty, 0 is treated as not complete in a required numeric field) Memo Notes: The system will assign the corresponding type field depending on the value selected above. For example, if character, use a textbox. If date, use a date picker. If numeric, use a textbox with numeric mask of '999,999,999.9999'. If logical, display a checkbox. If memo, display a memo field. If multiple copies are being printed, the parameter values entered will be utilized on each copy.
Expression	Memo field used to store the variable's expression. Only available when selecting a Parameter Type of "None".
Reset	Pick list used to determine if the variable will reset on a Page or Report basis. Only available when selecting a Parameter Type of "None".
Min Value	Hold Only enabled when using a Parameter Type of "Numeric" Numeric field with a mask of '999,999,999.9999'
Max Value	Hold Only enabled when using a Parameter Type of "Numeric" Numeric field with a mask of '999,999,999.9999'
Calculation Type	Pick list used to select the type of calculation that will fire. Only available when selecting a Parameter Type of "None". Options are: Average Count Highest Lowest None Standard Deviation Sum Variance
Initial Value	Memo field used to store the initial value for the variable. Only available when selecting a Parameter Type of "Character", "Logical", "Numeric", and "Memo".
Required	Optional. If checked, users will be required to enter a value in this field prior to printing and the field will be marked in blue. Only available when selecting a Parameter Type other than "None".

Order By tab

Used to sort the gathered report data in ascending or descending order for the specified field. Any field available to the report (checked via printing to variable display) may be used. Cannot use expressions, only fields.

Note: The items in this tab do not control the order of the fields on the report; that is controlled by the "Sort Expression" on the Printing Defaults form for the desired report.

Additional tabs in Classic

When operating in Classic versions of DEACOM, additional tabs are available to the Edit Report form. These include:

Optional Bands - Used to define items pertaining to the title and summary bands, specifically printing options. Included in the Layout tab of web versions.
Protection - If desired, used to set restrictions for users when modifying the report in protected mode.
Ruler & Grid - Used to set units and spacing.
Document Properties - Used to edit or add new properties and their corresponding expressions.
Other - Used to edit Comments, User data, Tooltips, and Run-time extensions.

Edit Field form

Opened via the "Modify" button in the Report Designer Toolbar.

Field/Flag	Description
Type	Pick list used to determine if the object will contain a Caption, Expression, or Text.
Block Type	Pick list used to select the base tag or table tag that will be used to obtain the information for this record. Options are: Full Regulatory BOM Job Lot Fin Job Lot Reg Lines Lot Info None QC Info QC Parent Info Regulatory Line Sales Order Lines Table
Encoding	Pick list used to select if this field will contain a barcode, and if so what type (GS1-128, 3 of 9, Data Matrix, etc.).
Barcode Height	Indicates the height of the barcode. Only available when "Encoding" is set to a 128, ITF14, or UPCA option.
Caption	Search field used to select the Caption that should display in this field. Only available when "Type" is set to "Caption".
Expression	Memo field used to store the expression or text that should display in this field. Only available when "Type" is set to "Expression" or "Text". Note - when using this field with Job Picklists (including the picklist2 and picklist 3 reports), use TRANS(lj_jobnum, go.jobmask) to have the job number print correctly.
Position	Options are: Bottom, Float, and Top Float will align objects vertically on top of one another and not be fixed like Bottom and Top.
Top/Left	Indicates where on the document this field sits.
Width/Height	Indicates the width and height of this field.
Rotation	Indicates the angle at which this field should be rotated to display on the document.
Format
Alignment	Pick list used to determine how this field is aligned. Options are: Center Default Justify Left Right
Text Spacing	Indicates the line spacing that will be applied between lines of text in the selected field.
Font Name/Font Size	Indicates the font name and size that will appear on the document, based on the selection in the "Encoding" field. Text can also be formatted as bold, underline, and italic using the "Font Name" field.
Foreground/Background	Indicates the color that is used for the document area.
Border Style	Pick list used to determine if a border should exist for the object, and if so if it should be Dashed, Dotted, or Solid.
Border Color	Indicates the color that is used for the document border.
Border Weight	Indicates the thickness of the border.
Print When	Memo field used to store an expression of when this field should print on the document.
Print Repeated Values	If checked, repeated values for this field will print when the document is generated.
Grow Vertically to Fit Contents	If checked, the field size will expand vertically if contents extend beyond the designed area.
Remove Line When Empty	If checked, when this document is generated and there is no value in this field, it will not be included in the report.
Print Text Right To Left	If checked, when the report is printed, the text, expression, or caption will print in a right-to-left direction. Useful for Arabic or Hebrew languages, for example. Note: This will only apply to languages that read from right to left, so nothing will change when printing English text.
Limit Float to Objects Directly Above	If checked, restricts rectangle, field, and line objects to only shift relative to the objects or fields directly above it instead of all objects/fields which could be affected by the current one, such as those below the object/field. Only applies when the value in the Position field is set to "Float "for this object. Useful when reports or part forms contain numerous objects set to "Float" and "Grow Vertically To Fit Contents" which may cause incorrect shifting and positioning with certain objects on the page. This field is only available when adding/modifying Rectangle, Field, or Line objects.
Use System Logo	If checked, the system will insert the company logo, specified in the "Logo File Name" field in System > Options > Documents tab, into the selected rectangle on the report. The logo will scale with locked aspect ratios to make sure the logo does not stretch vertically or horizontally and distort the image. Disables the following fields when checked: Background, Background Image, Image Table, Image Record Expr, Image Description Expr.

Toolbox

Classic

If this toolbar is not currently visible or is purposefully hidden, users can also navigate to Report > Insert Control on the main Report Designer toolbar to access the buttons discussed below. The following tabs are common to the Label, Field, and Picture buttons:

General - Set caption, object position, size, and position.
Style - Set font, color, and backstyle.
Print When - Common to the Label, Field, and Picture buttons. Used to set Print repeated values, remove line if blank, and Print only logic.
Protection - If desired, set restrictions for users when modifying the report in protected mode.
Other - Used to edit Comments, User data, Tooltips, and Run-time extensions.
Advanced - Used to edit and add advanced items and set Object Rotation, if necessary.

Button	Table and Related Functions
Select Objects	Pictured as a computer mouse, used to select an object on the report.
Label	If there is static data that needs to print on a report, a label object can be used.
Field	If there are fields that need to be printed on a report, the field object can be used. In addition to the tabs listed above, also includes: Format - Used to set format expression, field type, alignment. Calculate - Used to set calculation type and reset based on.
Line	Pictured as two perpendicular lines, used to insert a line on the report
Rectangle	Pictured as a rectangle, used to insert a rectangle on the report. Double click any rectangle on the report to bring up the Rectangle Properties form to adjust the position, size, style, protection options, and advanced settings.
Rounded Rectangle	Pictured as a rectangle with rounded edges, used to insert a rounded rectangle on the report. Double click any rectangle on the report to bring up the Rectangle Properties form to adjust the position, size, style, protection options, and advanced settings.
Picture/OLE Bound Control	Used to link and embed objects in the form.

Web

As opposed to classic, in web the Report Controls are buttons on the left-hand side of the form, not in a separate toolbar. The available buttons include Rectangle, Field, Line, and Page Break. To select multiple objects at once, hold control + shift + click, then drag the mouse to highlight the objects on the report.

Sections

Part Forms have one area, detail, and Reports have five areas: title, header, detail, footer, and summary. Reports can have multiple header and footer sections based on data grouping. The number of data groupings the report will have and where the labels and fields are placed to return the data required will be determined by what the company needs the report to do. A basic overview of some of the fields and information used in the different sections is contained below.

Title - Displays the company name and report title.
Header - Used to store company or order-specific information such as company name, address, logo or trademark, order number, shipping terms, customer name and address, and order date.
Detail - Generally used to store line item-specific data such as item numbers, description, quantities, and item locations.
Footer - Used to store quantity and amount totals, outstanding balance information, page number counts, and additional notes such as contact information.
Summary - Can be used to store additional information that would not normally be contained on the main print out, such as legal notices and terms and conditions.