Features

Here is a short list of Fomin Report Builder features you can use:

User Interface

• The report builder uses a word processing-styled interface, with buttons commonly found for formatting text (right align, left align, center align, etc)
• The application developer can change the language from "English", "Russian" or any other interface language. The FRB_NLS.INI file is provided for translation of all the messages and prompts that the Report Builder uses to interact with end-users.
• Support for Inch as well as for Metric coordinate system.
• Ability to export report pages in WMF format to Microsoft Word for Print Preview, Edit, Save as *.doc format file, Printing purposes, etc.
• Ability to customize the default properties of a new Frame.
• It is possible to set the percent values both for Horizontal and/or Vertical scaling of a whole report page being generated. Default percent value = 100%, effective increment/decrement step = 5%. X and Y percent values are stored in the user's WIN.INI file for each installed printer separately. This unique Report Builder capability allows end-users to adjust the actual size of report controls/whole report page on a hard copy for an any specific printer, such as Laser, Matrix and so on.

 

Accessing/Saving Report(s)

• Tree-styled Report Manager screen will help you to arrange your reports by means of classifying and grouping them by type and using several folders to store report files (as many folders and report types as the application developer defines).
• You can create and manage an unlimited number of reports.
• Quickly create reports that are similar to an existing report by opening a file, then saving the report to a new file name.
• You can use Windows95 styled long filenames when saving reports.

 

Data Creation/Manipulation

• Using a VIEW structure for simultaneous processing of several data tables. Usable for both ISAM and SQL databases.
• Effective and high speed filters for records using any available fields from applications database file(s), including expressions and functions of the Clarion programming language
• Sort data using any available fields, including expressions and functions of the Clarion programming language
• You can easily build complex expressions with help of the built in Data Dictionary. The Dictionary contains all the field names, functions, operators, built-in variables and user defined total variables/calculated fields which are allowed for use in an expression. The Dictionary also shares a tree-style hierarchical structure.
• Supports end-user creation of total variables of type Sum, Counter, Average, Minimum, Maximum, Evaluate. Total variables can be reset on the end of appropriate sorting group as well as on the end of each page. These variables can be set up to be evaluated at the start of report, at the each record, at the end of a sorted group, at the end of page, at the end of report.
• Supports end-user creation of "Calculated fields". They are very similar to "Total variables" but always use the Evaluate type and never being reset. You can accomplish very complicated computations using any number of Total variables and Calculated fields.
• "Calculated fields” can be set up to evaluate on the start of report as well. By means of dialog window functions provided for by the application developer it is possible to ask end-user for run-time entered values or browse selection. The value being entered/selected will be accepted to the “Calculated field”. Such variables usually are used in defining filter expressions.
• Using the report Dictionary you can select an individual element from array type data fields (up to 4 dimensions).
• Print the current date and time on a page. The Picture can change the format of a date or time field to any desired format. For example, you can change 02/21/00 to read “21 February, 2000” at report runtime.
• Print the current page number as well as the total number of pages on each page header/footer.
• Print the number of database records printed on the current page (useful for page footer information).
• Frame contents may be formatted in accordance with a Picture. The Picture can help you to change the format of text strings easily. For example, if the social security number is stored in the database as only numbers (123456789) you can reformat it at runtime to print "properly" (123-45-6789).
• Wizard style dialog easily helps you build a Picture of any type (Numeric, Date, Time, Pattern, etc.).
• The application developer can create computed fields indistinguishable from the fields from the actual database table.

 

Data Presentation/Formatting

• Supporting report sections (bands): Page header, Report header, Sorting band, Group header, Detail, Group footer, Report footer, and Page footer. Each band can contain an unlimited number of Frames to represent information.
• Frame contents may be a text string(s), or a formula. This is similar to Microsoft Excel usage: if the frame contents begins with the equal sign "=" then it means the rest is the formula to evaluate. In that way you can reference the only one variable as well as the expression containing as many variables and functions as you want.
• Use borders around the Frames to make them standout. For example, you can place a border around dollar totals at the bottom of reports. You can also use all the Frames with borders and join Frames side-by-side to get grid-style report. Frame borders may have varying thickness and color. Also the whole frame can be filled by selected color.
• You may select a font typeface, size, style and color for the whole report or report section as well as for individual frame. Use different fonts and font types to make key data stand apart from other data.
• Frame contents are placed and aligned both vertically and horizontally.
• You can select multiple Frames at the same time for repositioning or alignment operations.
• The application developer can make available for end-user use additional functions to be used in report runtime evaluated expressions.
• Add graphics to a report that are stored on your computer. This is a GREAT feature commonly used for office letterhead, computer-generated invoices, etc.
• The "Trailing Text" feature is helpful for a MEMO field printing. This option is selectable as a property of a report section (band). Text will be printed line-by-line beneath the band with page overflow control. This feature can handle a text of unlimited length.
• The "Mail Merge" feature can help you to combine raw text with data fields.
• Frame type "Barcode" available for printing vertical and horizontal barcodes
when appropriate extension template used in the RunTimeReport procedure (Taboga Barcode Library required).