When you have finished interacting with the wizard, InfoMaker generates the report and opens the Report painter.
When generating the report, InfoMaker might use information from a set of tables called the extended attribute system tables. If this information is available, InfoMaker uses it.
The extended attribute system tables are a set of tables maintained by the Database painter. They contain information about database tables and columns. Extended attribute information extends database definitions by recording information that is relevant to using database data in screens and reports.
Extended attribute information applies to forms, too
InfoMaker uses extended attribute information when generating a form the same way it uses it when generating a report.
For example, labels and headings you defined for columns in the Database painter are used in the generated report. Similarly, if you associated an edit style with a column in the Database painter, that edit style is automatically used for the column in the report.
When generating a report, InfoMaker uses the following information from the extended attribute system tables:
|
For |
InfoMaker uses |
|---|---|
|
Tables |
Fonts specified for labels, headings, and data |
|
Columns |
Text specified for labels and headingsDisplay formatsColumn widths, heights, and justificationsEdit styles |
If there is no extended attribute information for the database tables and columns you are using, you can set the text for headings and labels, the fonts, and the display formats in the Report painter. The difference is that you have to do this individually for every report that you create using the data.
If you want to change something that came from the extended attribute system tables, you can change it in the Report painter. The changes you make in the Report painter apply only to the report you are working on.
The advantage of using the extended attribute system tables is that it saves time and ensures consistency. You only have to specify the information once, in the database. Since InfoMaker uses the information whenever anyone creates a new report with the data, it is more likely that the appearance and labels of data items will be consistent.
If you have installed InfoMaker without the Database painter
You cannot create extended attribute information if you have installed InfoMaker without the Database painter. An InfoMaker user with the Database painter or a PowerBuilder user can add extended attribute information to the database for you, or you can change the extended attributes individually in each report.
For more information about the extended attribute system tables, see Managing the Database and The Extended Attribute System Tables
When you have created a report, you should save it. The first time you save it you give it a name. As you work, you should save your report frequently so that you do not lose changes.
To save the report:
-
Select File>Save from the menu bar.
If you have previously saved the report, InfoMaker saves the new version in the same library and returns you to the Report painter.
If you have not previously saved the report, InfoMaker displays the Save Report dialog box.
-
(Optional) Enter comments in the Comments box to describe the report.
-
Enter a name for the report in the Reports box and click OK.
-
Specify the library in which the report is to be saved and click OK.
The report name can be any valid InfoMaker identifier up to 255 contiguous characters. A common convention is to prefix the name of the report with d_.
For information about InfoMaker identifiers, see Identifiers
To modify an existing report:
-
Select File>Open from the menu bar.
The Open dialog box displays.
-
Select the object type and the library.
InfoMaker lists the reports in the current library.
-
Select the object you want.
InfoMaker opens the Report painter and displays the report. You can also open a report by double-clicking it in the System Tree, or, if it has been placed in a window or visual user object, selecting Modify DataWindow from the control's pop-up menu.
To learn how you can modify an existing report, see Enhancing Reports
