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Version: 9.2

Report Design

The Pixel-Perfect Reports Builder provides a variety of design and layout options for formatting reports.

Repeat Items Using Page Groups​

Page Groups enable you to repeat a set of components in the report body. For example, you can create a standard invoice format and associate it with a dataset column, so the report will display separate invoices with the distinct values of the column. Page Groups also provide an option to insert a page break after every iteration.

Create a Page Group​

  1. Select the Page Group icon on the toolbar.
  2. On the canvas, draw a bounding box around the components you wish to group. The Page Group header appears about the bounding box, indicating that the group was created. The Configuration panel updates to display Page Group Configuration options.
  3. In the Page Group Configuration panel, select the Associated Column dropdown and select the desired dataset column. The distinct values in this column determine how the data appears inside the group and how many times it repeats.
  4. Select a sorting method under Report Preview Sorting.
  5. Select Add page break between groups to separate each iteration with a page break.
  6. To adjust the position of the Page Group on the canvas, select and drag its Drag handler.
  7. Select Preview to preview the report using data from the selected dataset column.

Delete a Page Group​

  1. Select the Page Group on the canvas.
  2. In the Page Group header, select the Remove Page Group, or X, icon. A warning dialog indicates that this action removes the components within the Page Group.
  3. Select Yes to delete the Page Group and its components, or select No to delete only the Page Group but retain the components in the report.

Insert an Image​

You can add images to your report by uploading them or linking to a URL.

  1. Select the Image icon in the toolbar.

  2. Select the canvas to insert the image object. Size and position the bounding box as desired. The Configuration panel updates to display Image Configuration options.

  3. In the Image Configuration panel, paste the URL to the image in the field provided, or select Upload Image and upload an image file.

  4. Under Aspect, select how the image fills the bounding box:

    • Contain. Image resizes to fit in the container without changing proportions.
    • Cover. Image retains its size and aspect ratio, regardless of the size of the bounding box.
    • Fill. Image resizes and changes its proportions to fit in the container.

  5. On the canvas, adjust the size and position of the image box as needed.

Add Text​

  1. Select the Text icon on the toolbar.
  2. Draw a bounding box on the canvas. Size and position the box as desired. The Configuration panel updates to display Text Configuration options.
  3. To add static text, select the box and type your text.
  4. To add a token, select the Token symbol {} inside the text box, and select an option from the dropdown menu. A string displays in the text box, which the system uses to resolve the token.
  5. Use the settings in the Text Configuration panel to format the text.

To add text to your report, use a Text box on the canvas and configure settings such as font type, font size, text styles (bold, italic), font color, background color, alignment, text wrapping, borders, and padding.

Dynamic text is configured using tokens. You can only add one token per text box. The following types of tokens are available:

  • Data tokens. Displays dataset columns and their aggregates.
  • System tokens. Provides options for date and time tokens.
  • Report tokens. Provides options for inserting page numbers, total page count, and report name.
  • Parameters. Enables you to display parameters in the report.

Draw a Shape​

The Report editor enables you to draw lines, rectangles, and ellipses on the report canvas. You can also configure the colors, line styles, and other visual settings for each shape.

  1. Select the Shape icon on the toolbar and select: Line, Rectangle, or Ellipse.
  2. Draw a bounding box on the canvas. Size and position the box as desired. The Configuration panel updates to display Line/Rectangle/Ellipse Configuration options.
  3. Use the settings in the Configuration panel to define colors, line styles, and other visual settings for the shape.

Add a Page Break​

Page breaks enable you to improve the readability and organization of your reports. You can only add page breaks to the Body of the report.

  1. Select the Page Break icon in the toolbar.
  2. Navigate to the body of the canvas. Notice the mouse pointer changes to the Page Break icon.
  3. Select to insert the page break. A line displays on the canvas indicating the page break.
  4. Change the location of the page break as needed. Select the Drag handler and move the page break up or down on the canvas.

Change Page Setup​

The Page Setup feature enables you to modify the page orientation, paper size, and units of measurement.

  1. Select the Page Setup icon on the toolbar. It displays the current paper size and unit of measurement. The Page Setup dialog displays.

  2. On the Page Setup dialog, select the following options:

    • Paper Size
    • Units of Measure
    • Width
    • Height
    • Orientation

  3. Select Save.

Show/Hide Gridlines and Rulers​

Gridlines and rulers help you arrange components on the canvas. To show or hide them, select the Grid icon on the toolbar and select or clear the following options:

  • Show Gridlines
  • Show Ruler

Align Components​

The Align components feature helps arrange the components with more precision. To align components, select them on the canvas and select the Align Objects icon on the toolbar. Select one of the following options:

  • Align left
  • Align center
  • Align right
  • Align top
  • Align middle
  • Align bottom

Arrange Components​

You can arrange overlapping components so that one is in front or behind the other. Select the component you want to arrange and select the Arrange Components icon on the toolbar. Select one of the following options:

  • Send to front
  • Send to back