Reports & Queries - Source : www.pcsoft-windev-webdev.com

8. EDITABLE REPORTS8.1 OverviewThe report editor enables you to create reports that include edit controls. These reports can be generated inPDF format.This enables you to distribute reports, in PDF format if necessary, that allow direct user input in the specifiedareas: administrative forms (tax return, postal forms, …).The data can be printed or stored in a database (when the input is performed from the print preview). Then,the report becomes an entry form.The edit controls can be used on all types of reports. In most cases, the edit controls are used on Formreports, using a PDF in report background for example (see page 56).8.2 How do I proceed?8.2.1 Creating the report in editTo create a report in edit:1. Create a report according to your requirements (see “How do I create a report?”, page 25).2. In the areas where an input must be performed, create the edit controls.3. Save the report.4. During a print, the user will be able to directly enter the data in the edit controls. The input is available:• in the print preview.• in the reports printed in PDF format.8.2.2 Characteristics of edit controlsWhen creating an edit control in a report, you have the ability to define:• the type of the control (text, numeric, date, time),• the associated mask: the available masks are the ones supported by the PDF format. They are availablefor the numerics, the dates and the times,• the input size, which means the maximum number of characters allowed in the control. If this parameteris set to 0, there is no limit,• the horizontal alignment,• the initial value,• the style of the caption and input area.Notes:• Multiline edit control: if the users enter more lines than it is visible, the lines that are not visible will notbe printed. During the input, the edit controls manage a vertical scrollbar.• Style of the edit area: in this version only the "Arial" font can be used.• The edit control is not linked to an item from a data file or a query, nor to a variable. To display informationcoming form a data file, a query or a variable, the control must be assigned by programming.• The border of the input area cannot be configured (thickness, color, …).• No currency type can be used (the Euro symbol is not supported).Part 1: Report editor 101