About the Paper Design view About the Paper Parameter Form view

1-16 Oracle Reports Users Guide to Building Reports

1.6.2 About the Data Model view

The Report Editors Data Model view is a work area in which you create, define, and modify data model objects queries, groups, queries, groups, formula columns, summary columns, placeholder columns, system and user parameters, and data links to be used in your report. In this view, objects and their property settings are represented symbolically to highlight their types and relationships. To create the query objects for your data model, you can use the Report Wizard, Data Wizard, or the Query tools in the tool palette. Oracle Reports Builder uses the data model to determine what data to retrieve for the report. The data retrieved from the database may or may not appear in the report output. Access To display the Data Model view: ■ In any of the Report Editor views, choose View Change View Data Model. ■ Click the Data Model view button in the toolbar. ■ In the Object Navigator, double-click the Data Model view icon next to the Data Model node.

1.6.3 About the Paper Layout view

The Report Editors Paper Layout view is a work area in which you can modify the format of your paper report. The default format for your report is defined by the information you specify in the Report Wizard. You can modify the format by working with layout objects boilerplate text and graphic objects, frames, repeating frames, graphs, fields, anchors, file links, and report blocks. In this view, objects and their property settings are represented symbolically to highlight their types and relationships. The Paper Layout view is similar to the Paper Design view, in that it is a work area in which you modify the format of your report. However, the Paper Design view displays only when you run your report, allowing you to preview your report and manipulate the actual, or live, data at the same time. In the Paper Design view, you can customize reports interactively, meaning that you can see the results immediately as you make each change. Access To display the Paper Layout view: ■ In any of the Report Editor views, choose View Change View Paper Layout. ■ Click the Paper Layout view button in the toolbar. ■ In the Object Navigator, double-click the Paper Layout view icon next to the Paper Layout node.

1.6.4 About the Paper Design view

The Report Editors Paper Design view is a work area in which you can preview your paper report and manipulate the actual, or live, data at the same time. In the Paper Design view, you can customize reports interactively, meaning that you can see the results immediately as you make each change. Basic Concepts 1-17 To edit your report, such as changing column size, the Paper Design view must be in Flex mode. Access The Paper Design view is displayed whenever you run a report. To run a report from the Object Navigator or any editor, click the Run Paper Layout button in the toolbar or choose Program Run Paper Layout. To run a report from the Report Wizard, click Finish . You can also display the Paper Design view in these ways: ■ In any of the Report Editor views, choose View Change View Paper Design. ■ Click the Paper Design view button in the toolbar. Usage notes To speed the execution of your report, avoid fetching ahead when sending report output to the Paper Design view. The following items can result in fetching ahead when referenced before the data on which they rely: ■ total number of pagespanels ■ grand totals ■ break columns that are formulas ■ break columns that have Value if Null specified Matrix cross-product groups also cause fetching ahead. In order to cross-tabulate the data, Oracle Reports Builder must first fetch all of the data. It should be noted that while these items slow down the Paper Design view, they do not affect performance when writing to a file or some other destination.

1.6.5 About the Paper Parameter Form view

The Report Editors Paper Parameter Form view is a work area in which you define the format of the reports Runtime Parameter Form. To do this, you define and modify parameter form objects fields and boilerplate. You can select pre-defined system parameters for your report using the Parameter Form Builder, or you can create your own. When you run a report, Oracle Reports Builder uses the Paper Parameter Form view as a template for the Runtime Parameter Form. Fields and boilerplate appear in the Runtime Parameter Form exactly as they appear in the Paper Parameter Form view. If you do not define a Runtime Parameter Form in the Paper Parameter Form view, Oracle Reports Builder displays a default Runtime Parameter Form for you at runtime. Note: In the Object Navigator, there is no Paper Design node; this view is displayed only after running a report. Note: A column can cause fetching ahead even if it is not displayed. For example, a grand total may not appear in the report output, but since it is in the report, fetching ahead may still occur when Oracle Reports Builder calculates it. 1-18 Oracle Reports Users Guide to Building Reports Access To display the Paper Parameter Form view: ■ In any of the Report Editor views, choose View Change View Paper Parameter Form . ■ Click the Paper Parameter Form view button in the toolbar. ■ In the Object Navigator, double-click the Paper Parameter Form view icon next to the Paper Parameter Form node.

1.6.6 About the Web Source view