Anchoring objects together Viewing implicit anchors Moving an anchor

How To... 4-71 ■ In the Paper Layout view, click the Confine On button or the Confine Off button in the toolbar to toggle the mode: On: child objects cannot be moved outside their enclosing parent objects. Off: child objects can be moved outside their enclosing parent objects. To set or override Flex mode: ■ In the Paper Layout view, click the Flex On button or the Flex Off button in the toolbar to toggle the mode: On: parent borders stretch when child objects are moved against them. The child object maintains the same distance from the side it moves against. Off: parent borders remain fixed when child objects are moved against them. See also Section 2.4.7, About moving and layering objects in the Paper Layout view Chapter 4.9.11.3, Adjusting parent borders automatically Chapter 4.9.11.2, Moving an object outside its parent

4.9.5 Anchors

This section provides procedures for the following tasks that you may perform as you work with anchors: ■ Anchoring objects together ■ Viewing implicit anchors ■ Moving an anchor See also Section 2.4.4, About anchors

4.9.5.1 Anchoring objects together

Anchoring objects assures that the anchored object will move with the parent object. An object can be anchored to only one other object. To anchor objects together: 1. In the Paper Layout view, click the Anchor tool in the tool palette. 2. Click an edge of the child object and double-click an edge of the parent object. A line is drawn from the child to the parent. A small box appears at the end of the line that is attached to the parent object.

4.9.5.2 Viewing implicit anchors

By default, you see the explicit anchors created in the Paper Layout view of the Report Editor. To view information on both implicit and explicit anchors:

1. In the Object Navigator, choose Tools Options Navigator to display the Object

Navigator Options dialog box.

2. Click the Layout tab, and select the Anchoring Information check box.

4-72 Oracle Reports Users Guide to Building Reports With this option selected, you can see all information on both implicit and explicit anchors in the Object Navigator. See also Section 2.4.4.1, Implicit anchoring algorithm

4.9.5.3 Moving an anchor

Moving an anchor changes how the objects will be displayed in relationship to each other. To move an anchor:

1. In the Paper Layout view, click the anchor.

2. Click the Reshape tool in the tool palette, then drag one of the anchor endpoints to

its new location on the object edge. To move an anchor along an object edge: ■ Press the constrain for example, shift key when moving the anchor. To change the position of the anchor on the object edge, as a percentage down or across from top to bottom or left to right:

1. Double-click the anchor object to display the Property Inspector.

2. Set the Child Edge Percent property or Parent Edge Percent property to a new

value. To change the edge on which the anchor is positioned: ■ Set the Child Edge Type property or Parent Edge Type property as desired.

4.9.6 Colors, Patterns, and Highlighting