Chapter 3 . Report Designer 5.

0u Tip

FAQ's &Useful Tip for Report Designer 5.0u

This Chapter summarizes the useful tips for Report Designer 5.0u through Q&A. The
questions are categorized into Create Report, View, Save and Print in each case.

1. Create Report
Q.

Is it possible to create a table for Screen View, a table for Print or a table for Save as
Excel separately?

A. Yes. The shape of a report format may differ slightly according to the use of a table such
as Screen View, Print or Save as Excel. In this case, both a table for Screen View and a
table for Print(or a table for Save as Excel) should be drawn and then they should be
assigned as Background Object through Properties > Body Object Properties. And, the
table for viewing should be assigned for Exception Object for Printing Out or Exception
Object for Saving Excel. And, the table to printing or Save as Excel should be assigned for
Exception Object for Displaying. In this manner, you can create each table for Screen
View, Print or Save as Excel separately.

Q. Can a specific table be used for Repeated Table in a report in which the CrossTab is
used?
A.

Yes. If CrossTab is checked in Table Document Report, all of tables on a report are
drawn as they have CrossTab properties. In case of creating multiple tables, if you want to
use a specific table for Repeated Table, not for CrossTab Table, you can assign the
corresponding table for Repeated Table by selecting Set as Repetition Table check box in
Table > Set Table Properties dialog box.

Q. What is the easy way to make a report for printing in Giro paper?
A. It is possible, by using Report Designer Viewer, to print a report in a specific Print Form
Paper (Giro paper, Payroll receipt layout etc.). If you use the image scanned by Report
Designer Editor for a background image, after you scan a Print Form Paper at the rate of
100%, it may be easier to create a report. As a Print Form image can be displayed on the
Create Report screen, it is much easier to insert a desired value into a specific location. And,
if you assign a scanned image for Background Object and Exception Object for Printing
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Out, through Properties > Body Object Properties, it will be printed without a scanned
image,

Q. Is it possible to transfer dynamically the entire query statement for being used in a
report?
A. Yes. If you select SQL Free Edit in Database > Define Query dialog box and enter only
$1 in query entry window, the contents of the first parameter transferred through /rp
parameter are replaced with query statement. But, you should transfer, through /rp parameter,
a basic query statement to be used in File > Enter Parameter Values dialog box as a query
statement is required in the time of performing an operation in Report Designer Editor.
Even if you transfer a query statement dynamically, the number of fields and their names to
be selected in a query statement should never be changed.
See Chapter 1 Using Report Designer Editor - 5.2 Define Query for the detailed
contents of Define Query.

Q.

Is it possible to display only the list of Save Procedures to be used frequently in Define
Query dialog box?

A. Yes. If you input rdeditor_u.ini in [Start]-[Run] menu and the corresponding file opens,
the item of spinfo_filename=c:\splist.txt should be added to [Environment] section. If you
input the name of Save Procedure to be used frequently in c:\splist.txt, by using new line
as a separator, only the name of Save Procedure which exists in c:\splist.txt will be
displayed in Save Procedure list of Database > Define Query dialog box. A use can be
made of a file path and its name as a user wants.

Q.

Is it possible to create conditional clause of Query statement dynamically according to

the input by a user?

A. Yes. If you use Dynamic query creation function, when defining a query statement in
Database > Define Query dialog box, the conditional clause of a query statement can be
created dynamically according to the yes or no of inputting parameters.

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See Chapter 1 Using Report Designer Editor - 5.2.2.4 Dynamic query creation for
the detail of Dynamic Query creation function.

Q.

Is it possible to refer to the value which is transferred from a script in Hyperlink dialog
box to /rp parameter?

A.

Yes. If you refer to the value transferred from Script to /rp parameter, in case of using a
script in Properties > HyperLink Properties dialog box, it is desirable to use it in the same
form as :($1) as the same goes for referring to Field name of main query. For example, as
for Drilldown function, if you transfer a parameter value in a subform file, input a script as
follows.

Even if you can refer to the entry value of a parameter by using a function,
getparam($1). However, it is recommended to use a form of :($1) rather than getparam()
function

Q.

Is possible to assign a simplified name to a field in use of Summary of Database > Map
DataSet dialog box?

A. Yes. For example, to summarize

DailySalesFigure.SalesQuantity*DailySalesFigure.SalesPrice on Database > Map
Dataset dialog box by using Summary Method and to make total by using sum() Summary
Method from the corresponding value, usually enter as
sum(DailySalesFigure.SalesQuantity*DailySalesFigure.SalesPrice). In this case, it is
clear that the long contents of the summary are not easy to be recognized.
But, if you use User Defined Field, a simple expression can be made. If a simple name for
corresponding summary on Assign Variable Tab is input, after making a summary on
Prepare Summary tab of Map Dataset dialog box, the corresponding name becomes the
name of User Defined Field of the summary. From the above
DailySalesFigure.SalesQuantity*DailySalesCredit.SalesPrice summary, if Amount is
input for User Define Field name, sum(Amount) can be input and used in case of figuring

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out a sum by using sum() function.

cf. This function can not be performed in the reports using CrossTab because of the
characteristics of CrossTab table.

Q.

Is it possible to print the line of Repetition Section according to a condition?

A.

Yes. Table > Line > Set Repetition/Summary Section Line Properties function should
be used to make the line of repetition section not to be displayed, and Table > Matrix > Add
Summary Section function should be used to add summary section. And, it is desirable to
set the condition, in which the line of repetition section is intended to be displayed, for the
Summary Condition on summary section, through Database > Map Dataset dialog box,
(for example, it will be the case in which a specific field value is changed.) and to make
Prepare Summary tab empty. If summary contents does not exist on summary section,
summary section is added as a line of a table, not its column.

For the details of Set Repetition/Summary Section Line Properties method, refer to
Chapter 1 Using Report Designer Editor - 6.5.7 Set Repetition/Summary Section Line
Properties. And, for the details of Summary Condition tab of Map Dataset dialog box, refer
to Chapter 1 Using Report Designer Editor - 5.8.4 Summary Condition tab.

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Q.

Is it possible to make a report with the Master>Detail(or Main Sub) structure? What is
the highest level for it?

A.

Yes. It is possible if you design a TableForm report with theSubpage. In the time of
designing the report in use of editor, if you refer to the Main Query Field Name in the Sub
Query definition, you can perform it in a form of :(Main Query Field Name). In the time of
execution, subquery per Main Query is executed to create a report. To build Main - Sub
related Report over 3 level of depth, use Sub Report method. The step is free from restraint
and refer to Chapter 1 Using Report Designer Editor - 8.16 Sub Report Pages.

Q.

Can an image file be brought from Web URL when executing a report?

A.

Yes. It is possible to assign Web URL to a parameter of Loadimage() summary

functions. For the details of Loadimage() summary functions, refer to the Appendix 1
Report Designer Summary.

Q.

One record is displayed on one page. How multiple records can be displayed on one
page?

A. Check the File > Document properties whether report type is General document or
Table document.
As for General Document, one record is applied to one page. To view the multiple records
on the page repeatedly, it is required to change the report type into Table document.
As for Table Document, it is required to view multiple records on the page repeatedly. But,
as for Table document using Subpage, sub query records are displayed on Repeated Table
with the Subpage Object property. One main query record is mapped in the whole Subpage.
So, as for the Table document with a SubPage, in case of mapping the data in the Repeated
table, it should be defined as Sub query.

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Q. Even if page connection option is used from Subpage Table document, the page
connection is not successful. What is the solution for it?
A. To connect the front page to the next page, all of objects designed in the next page
should be entered into the front page. For example, if the repeated table is located on the top
of next page and the Text Frame object is located on its bottom part, the next page cannot be
connected to the front page. By moving the Text Frame located in the bottom of a page to the
upper part or adding the subpage newly, the Text Frame object should be moved to the
location.

Q.

Is it possible to copy a specific string by blocking it after running a report?

A.

Yes. The Report Designer Viewer can be run in Execution Mode or Edit Mode. And,
copying a string is possible in Edit mode basically. To copy String on Execution Mode,
/rbrowsingopt [1] parameter should be used. For the details of /rbrowsingopt parameter,
refer to the contents of Appendix 3 Report Designer Parameter Description.

Q.

As for File Access Method Report, can its field value include the Newline?

A.

Yes. It is possible if VARCHAR is assigned for a field type in a field definition.

Q.

When using IIF() and SUM() summary function for summing up, what should be
considered?

A. To use IIF() and SUM() summary function and do a sum in summary section, SUM()
summary function should be used in its outer part. It makes little difference for the case of
using Count() summary function instead of SUM() summary function. For the details of IIF()
summary function, refer to the Appendix 1 Report Designer Summary - IIF().
sum(if(Separator==1, Credits, 0)) // Correct use
iif(Separator==1, sum(Credits), 0) // Incorrect use

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Q.

When editing a table on Editor, can the entire size of a Table be fixed?

A. Yes. It is possible to fix the entire size of every table within the document if checking
Table > Table Protection menu item.

Q.

In case the contents to be applied to a field are so much, how can they be moved to the
next page?

A. It is required to assign MemoObject to the field. For the detailed features, See the
Chapter 1 Using Report Designer Editor - 8.2 Text Frame Properties.

Q. The name of a field, which is displayed on the Field List in Database > Map Dataset
dialog box, is not normal. What is the reason for it?

A. To check the query statement, display Database > Define Query dialog box. And, each
column of SELECT section is displayed on the field list of Database > Map Dataset dialog
box. However, in some case, the name of a column can not be brought if it is not simple
column name.
In this case, if AS delimiter is used on SQL statement to redefine Column name or a check is
made for Bring column name by executing query on Database > Define Query dialog
box, the name of a column can be gotten normally.

Q.

Can the line properties of a repeated section be changed in Table Document Report
according to the condition? For example, if a report is for Sales amount by each region, is
it possible to draw a bold solid line when the name of a region is changed?

A.

Yes. Add Summary Section and assign Summary Condition, but make Prepare
Summary tab empty. If so, ,only the line of summary section is printed as the row of
summary section is not viewed, in case required conditions are satisfied.

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Q. When designing Table Document Report to use Subpage, what should be done to see
other Subpage field?
A. The MainQuery field in each SubPage and the SubQuery field on the page can be seen.
Accordingly, it is desirable that the field to be seen in multiple pages is made as MainQuery
field. Otherwise, it is another solution to use summary function, setglobal() or getglobal(). In
other words, it is possible to save the value by using a summary function, setglobal() in the
summary section of previous Subpage and see the value by using a summary function,
getglobal()on the corresponding SubPage. But, the next page can see the value in the
previous page, however, the previous page cannot see the value in the next page.

Q. Can 2 or more Repeated Tables to show separate data be used on one page?
A. Yes. It is possible if you design a Table Document report to use SubPage. Define query,
on each subpage, and map data by drawing a repetition table. To view each table in a page,
set Properties > Connect Page option. For the detailed features, See Chapter 1 Using
Report Designer Editor - 8.13 Connect Page option.

Q.

Is it possible to display zero(0) on the cell, in which data cannot be mapped, as for
CrossTab report?

A. Yes. It is possible if you input zero(0) character on the cell when designing a report. If a
report is executed, zero(0) character will be displayed on the cell in which data cannot be not
mapped. If a character other than 0 is input, the corresponding character will be displayed.

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2. View Report

Q.

As for Inquiry Toolbar, can the contents of the second Inquiry ComboBox be set to be
subordinate to selection conditions of the first Inquiry ComboBox?

A.

Yes. Let us suppose that a location name is entered for inquiry condition through Inquiry
ComboBox in Inquiry Toolbar. If you enter a Country Name for the first inquiry condition,
only County Name subordinate to City Name may be displayed for the second inquiry
condition. If any selection is not made for the first condition, every County Name can be
displayed. In this case, the query definition for bringing the second inquiry condition is as
follows.
SELECT distinct Address.CountryName
FROM Address
#1# WHERE Address.CityName = $1
For the detailed functions of Inquiry Toolbar, See Chapter 1 Using Report Designer
Editor - 8.19 Edit Inquiry Toolbar.

Q. Is a function to be capable of aligning specific data supported in view screen of a

report?
A. Yes. If you use script function, SortData() by Run Script in Align > HyperLink
Properties dialog box, a function of alignment can be applied. Two parameters are input for
SortData() function. The name of a field to be aligned is input, as for the first parameter. And,
as for the second parameter, 1 is input for ascending alignment, 0 is input for descending
alignment. But, as for SortData() function, only main query field data can be aligned.
For example, to set an alignment in ascending or descending sequence alternately
whenever clicking specific cell of a table, display Alignment > HyperLink dialog box after
selecting specific cell of a table. Select Run Script and enter a script as follows.

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For the details of the script functions, See Appendix 2 Report Designer Script
description.

Q. In case FileOpen() Method is executed on Web environment, Mrd file/ Data file cannot
be downloaded. What should be done to solve this?
A.

Because of several reasons, Mrd file or Data file cannot be downloaded on Web
environment. Firstly, check the following matters. However, if a satisfactory solution is not
found, please contact M2Softs main office.
1. Check if a path of Mrd file or Data file is correct or not.
Check if a file path used on FileOpen() Method is correct or not, by entering the path on
Internet Explorers address window to check the corresponding file to be downloaded or
displayed regularly in a screen. If a file cannot be brought from Internet Explorer, it cannot

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be brought from Report Designer Viewer, either.

2. Delete all the temporary internet files and execute a report again.
An abnormal file may be downloaded to a users PC due to temporary network problems and
a normal version of corresponding file may not be downloaded newly due to a cashing
function of Internet Explorer. In this case, after executing Delete File(including offline items)
in Tools>Internet Option dialog box of Internet Explorer, execute a report again.
3. Check if a proxy server is used or not.
Even if you use a proxy server, Mrd file or Data file may be downloaded. But, in some cases,
RD OCX Viewer should be set differently according to a type of proxy server. after calling
SetHttpAccessType(0) Method before calling FileOpen() Method on Web environment,
execute a report again. A default value of HttpAccessType as for RD OCX Viewer is 1. In
case of carrying it into execution after adding HttpAccessType=1 to [Environment] section
of rdviewer50_u.ini file, the result may be the same.

Q.

Is it possible not to pop up a dialog box when executing a report on web environment?

A.

Yes. If you use SetReportDialogInfo() Method of RD OCX Viewer, it is possible to

change the setup of Database Connection dialog box or Reporting Status dialog box. And,
if you use SetMessageboxShow() Method, it is possible to control an output of Every All
Error and Alert Information dialog box of RD OCX Viewer.

For the detailed usage of Method, refer to Appendix IV. Report Designer OCX
Method, Properties, Event-4.1.86 SetReportDialogInfo and section 4.1.67
SetMessageboxShow.

Q. Servers path or parameter value is disclosed through View Source on Web Page. Is a
method to prevent it?
A.

Yes. Encoding parameter of FileOpen() Method is possible by using parameter encoding

function in case of using Report Designer Server.

For the details of parameter encoding function, See Chapter 2 Using Report
Designer Viewer - 6.5 Parameter Encryption

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Q.

Is relative path supported when executing FileOpen() Method on web environment?

A.

Yes. Form file path and data file path used in FileOpen() Method can use the relative
path, on the basis of on the basis of the corresponding web page path using FileOpen()
Method. But, the relative path is supported only when RD OCX Viewer is run on Internet
Explorer and it is not supported in case it is run on the other programs. Also, Included File
Path, Sub Report File Path and Image File Path on LoadImage Method etc. to be used in a
report file can use the relative path, on the basis of the corresponding form file path.

Q.

When executing a report on how to access Oracle, it is normal in case of a display is

made on Viewer but dll loading error is caused in case of a display is made on Web. What is
the solution?

A. An error is caused because dll module to access Oracle may not be installed in a system.
As dll module for accessing Oracle used on Viewer may be installed during the installation of
Editor, running on Viewer is possible. To solve this problem, download newly RD OCX
Viewer Cab file including dll module to access Oracle or reinstall RD OCX Viewer by
executing RD OCX Viewer Setup file on OCX folder of RD installation CD.
Contact M2Soft office to receive RD OCX Viewer Cab file including dll module to
access Oracle.

Q. If a report for a method to access XMLFILE is run, errors are caused on some PCs.
What is the solution?

A. To perform XML Reporting, MSXML 4.0 ActiveX Control should be installed on a

system. For XML Reporting, not only RD OCX Viewer Cab file but also MSXML 4.0 Cab
file should be distributed.
Q. If there is no data, the message window for Unable to find data' can be made not to be
displayed?

A. Yes. Use SetNoDataDialogInfo() Method

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For the detailed usage of Method, refer to the contents of corresponding Method 4.1.70
SetNoDataDialogInfo on Appendix IV. Report Designer OCX Method, Properties, and
Event

Q. The result of a report as for executing a report on Report Designer EXE Viewer is
different from the result of a report as for executing a report on OCX Viewer. What is the
reason?

A. In a normal case, the result of a report as for executing a report on Report Designer
EXE Viewer is the same as the result of a report as for executing a report on OCX Viewer
The version difference between EXE Viewer and OCX Viewer may be the reason. Please
contact M2Soft office if the different result occurs when the versions are the same.

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3. Save Report
Q.

Can a report be converted into the other file format?

A.

Yes. A report can be saved with a format such as Miraero file(*.mrr), Text file(*.txt), Excel
file(*.xls), PDF file(*.pdf), Image file(*.tif, *.bmp, *.gif, *.jpg), PowerPoint file(*.ppt) and Word
file(*.doc) etc. as for Report Designer 5.0u Viewer.

Q. A report has been converted into Excel file but its screen is different from the screen to
have been viewed. What is the reason?
A. Report Designer 5.0u provides very high converting ratio when it is converted into
Excel file. But, the following matters should be considered when creating a report, in case a
conversion is made into Excel file in the same way as the screen viewed in Report Designer
Viewer, due to the characteristics of Excel program.
1.Multilayer is not supported In Excel.
In excel, as Multilayer(to put the other object over an object) is not supported, Text Frame
may not be displayed in case make a report by drawing Text Frame on a table.
2. Background image is not supported in Excel.
In Excel, background image(an image assigned as background object under transparently
processed table or object) is not supported. Accordingly, in case background image is used,
an image is displayed on the cell when a conversion is made into Excel file. In this case,
background image can be assigned as an exceptional object when it is saved into Excel file.
3. Only 40 colors are supported in Excel.
In Report Designer, all RGB colors are supported but Excel support only 40 colors are
supported in Excel. From this, the colors on inquiry screen may be different from the colors
on Excel. To synchronize the colors between Screen to be viewed and Excel, use only
colors on Excel available in the time of creating a report.
4. An object is drawn in a unit of cell in Excel.
Report Designer draws all of objects with coordinates but Excel draws an object by a unit of
cell. So, when a conversion is made into Excel, a difference may be made between column
and row in due to a little positional difference even if both locations seem to be the same
externally. Using Align by object function or Properties > Adjust Object Size/Location
will make objects aligned exactly. Also, the number of columns and rows can be minimized
while being converted into Excel.
5. A limit is placed on the size of Excel worksheet.

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Worksheet used by Excel has a restriction with maximum columns of 65,536 and rows with
256. When the mass reports are converted into Excel, the files are saved as an Excel file in
blocks of 1000 pages. If a report with total 1500 pages is converted into Excel file, 2 Excel
files are created. For a file name, it is saved as a number may be attached next to the
assigned name of a file. For example, if a report with 1500 pages is assigned to be
converted into the name of a file, test.xls, test_01.xls file and test_02.xls file are created.
6. When being converted into Excel file, drawing object is not converted.
For Report Designer, drawing objects such as Line, Curve, Polyline, Rectangle, Rounded
Rectangle, Circle/Ellipse, Rhombus, Parallelogram, Polygon, Quadratic Prism,
Cyllinder which are drawn through Draw menu are not converted when a conversion is
made into Excel file.

Q.

Is Bookmark available while a report is converted into PDF file?

A. Yes. It is possible to assign the field to be used as Bookmark, when a conversion is

made into PDF file by using Properties > Content Field, in the time of creating a report. As
for a report with an Indexfield assigned when converting a report into PDF file on Report
Designer Viewer, the Indexfield is assigned as Bookmark of PDF file. To create an index
when executing a report, use /rmaketree parameter.
For the details of Assign Indexfield, See Chapter 1 Using Report Designer Editor 8.6 Defining content field

Q. When a report is saved as Excel file, it is necessary not to display Excel Option dialog
box and to save it with the current format. What should be done for it?

A.

Call SetSaveExcelOption() Method before executing a report. To maintain the current

format, transfer 1 for an argument value.

For the details of Method usage, refer to the contents of corresponding Method 4.1.89
SetSaveExcelOption on Appendix IV. Report Designer OCX Method, Properties, and
Event.

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4. Print Report
Q.

Can executing a report and printing it be done at the same time?

A.

Yes. Use /rop (Open and Print) parameter. To print the multiple reports sequentially, use
/rwait parameter. For the details of parameter, See Appendix III. Report Designer
parameter.

Q. The bar code of a report printed from Report Designer cannot be recognized by a bar
code reader. What is a solution?
A. At first, confirm the type of bar code created by Report Designer is supported by bar
code reader. If the size of bar code is too small, recognizing ratio from bar code reader is
reduced. Check the size of bar code printed whether it is too small and test after making the
size of bar code bigger.

Q.

Page space is different by each page if a report is printed on rolled paper. To

synchronize the space per page, what is a solution?

A. Assign a vertical size of rolled paper by using /rpaperlength parameter. For the details
of /rpaperlength parameter, See Appendix III. Report Designer parameter.

Q.

Can a starting point for a print (coordinate) be adjusted when printing a report in use of a
printer?

A.

Yes. It is possible to assign the horizontal or vertical numerical value required for a
change of location in the time of printing by using /rpxpos, /rpypos parameter. For the
details of a parameter, See Appendix III. Report Designer parameter.

Q.

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Chapter 3 . Report Designer 5.0u Tip

A.

Call CMPrint() method in the time of printing. For running a record and starting its print
at the same time, it may be possible to use /rop parameter. For the details of the usage of a
method, See Appendix IV. Report Designer OCX Method, Properties, Event.

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