Dynamic layout

[Toni]

Just wondering, what I am calling dynamic layout.

I mean, when you sort records usually for printing purpose we do configure a special layout with fields we would want included. This layout has sub-summary part and also a trailing grand summary, and of course head and footer. Lets supose we have product field named A and category product field named B. It is normal to want reports based on field A and another based on B.

Is it possible to have a single layout for both reports? Could be possible to configure a script which would define the parts of the layout, or even change the field positions, change the header and footer?

Thank you, Toni

Edited March 22, 2007 by Guest

[Ender]

It's easy enough to add sub-summary parts for each possible grouping. When the sort includes those part's fields, the part will show. I have a few reports like this that allow the user to choose the sort option, which will then show the correct sub-summary part on the layout.

But changing the field order on the Body part is a different problem. For this, I'd suggest using globals as field selectors and GetField() to show the selected fields in the proper position. See the attached demo.

DynamicReport.fp7.zip

[mr_vodka]

Interesting Demo Mike.

Thanks for sharing!

Edited March 22, 2007 by Guest

[Raybaudi]

Very nice technique, thank you Ender

[Ender]

No problem! It's an oldie but a goody.

I haven't tried giving my reports this kind of flexibility yet. It seems like a feature that users would appreciate, but I suspect it would result in slower Finds and Sorts for large record sets, since the fields are necessarily unstored.

Maybe someone can try it an let us know how it performs.

[Toni]

Hello Ender, been busy and haven't checked your reply. I donloaded your demo and will see how it works. I have a database which runs nearly 70000 records at aproximatly 60MB on an WinXP and FM6.

I will try and let you know

Thank you, Toni