Report Creation Wizard: Step-by-Step Data Selection

Faster Report Creation via Database Window

Another faster way is from the Database window with the object selected (reports) by double-clicking on Create report by using assistant.

First Wizard Window: Field Selection

The first wizard window appears, asking us to enter the fields to include in the report.

1. Select the table or query where you will fetch data from the Tables/Queries box. This will be the source of the report.
2. If you pull data from multiple tables, it is best to create a query for the data and then choose that query as the source of the report.
3. Select the fields by clicking on the field to select it and clicking the > button, or simply double-click on the field.
4. If you select a field by mistake, press the < button to remove it from the list of fields.
5. You can select all fields at once by clicking the >> button or clear all fields at once by clicking the << button.
6. Then click Next >.

Choose Group Levels within the Report

We can group the records in the report in many respects for each item and add a header and group footer. In the group footer, totals are usually displayed.

• To add a level of grouping, click on the field for which you want to group in the list on the left and click the > button (or double-click directly on the field).

The right part shows a drawing that indicates the structure our report will have. In the central fields appear to be displayed for each record. In our example above, there is a group of people and a group code over postal information.

To remove a grouping level, click on the header for the group to select it and press the < button.

Adjusting Group Priority and Clustering

If we change the order of the groups, use the priority buttons: the up arrow button moves the selected group level up, and the down arrow button moves it down.

With Grouping Options, you can refine the clustering. Clicking this button opens the following dialog box:

It displays the different groups we have defined. For each group, there are:

• Fields group: The field that defines the group.
• Grouping intervals: Here, we can state whether to use the full value in the field for clustering or use the first letter, the first two, etc.

After pressing the OK button, return to the previous window. Once we have defined the group levels, we click the Next > button to proceed to the next window.

Sorting Records and Adding Totals

On the screen, you can choose to sort records by up to four sort fields.

1. Select the field you want to sort the records that come out in the report.
2. Choose to sort ascending or descending. To choose a descending sort, click the button until it shows Ascendant and Descendant.
3. You can choose a different sort order for different management fields.

This screen also allows us to add totals almost automatically. If we add total lines, we have to click on the Options button in the Summary dialog box that appears (Options Summary).