Layout report - function to return multiple lines

[Steve Workings]

OK, with no success at getting the linked report I needed - which only has two columns - into a Layout report, I thought I'd make my own function to return the values. That works fine but all the lines show up as one continuous string. The result just isn't presentable or readable.

I've tried separating the lines with a "<br>" as well as a "crlf()" but no success. Anyone know how I might do this? I can't tell you how much I need some solution here to produce a lousy two columns of data.

My pertinent function code is like this:

while flag
	txt = txt + rs.data(1) + space(5) + rs.data(2) + crlf()
	flag = rs.nextRow()
end while

[frankbicknell]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

How about a grid or a dialog in a popup window formatted the way you want with a print button using window.print()?
I use this in the master template of a grid to print the window and hide the print button.

	<td style="vertical-align:top;">
	      <input type="button" value="PRINT" onclick="JavaScript:this.style.visibility='hidden';window.print();">	
	</td>

[Steve Workings]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

Thanks Frank. As I said a couple days ago, I should have just coded all this by hand. But I have every bit of a fairly extensive report already done -- I just can't get this part. If only I could get these two columns into a report. Doing as you suggest means dumping what I nearly have and starting all over again - again. Besides, there should be some way to construct a function that returns multiple and formatted lines of text to a report -- shouldn't there?

[Al Buchholz]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

Does printhtml() help?

[Steve Workings]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

Well Al, I was using my custom function:

Rpt_Session_Food(s_id)

So I tried:

PrintHTML(Rpt_Session_Food(s_id))

Now no matter what I do, I can't get anything to print - again - in that cell. Yes, I've deleted the cell, done everything I can dream of. I am withholding my true feelings here - mostly.

[Steve Workings]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

Well, another day, another failure to print 2 columns in a layout report. Didn't even find anyone to take up my offer of $100 to help.

So, if anyone has any ideas, I will certainly welcome them.

I either need to be able to link a report that contains the 2 columns, or find a way to produce the data with a UDF. Tried both -- a lot -- to no avail.

[2ninerniner2]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

Steve -

Reading this thread made me want to take a look at Layout Reports and give it a go to see if I could come up with one. Seems as though I have, if I am understanding correctly

- There are two MySQL tables, Customers and Items that are linked Customer:ID -> Items:Seller_ID
- Created the two reports with the QR genie.
- Then on the Customer report, added a new row under the existing row of fields in the Detail section.
- Used the New Linked Report link to bring up the Edit Linked Report Dialog
- Clicked Pick report, selected the Items report from the list
- Clicked the Define link button and selected SELLER_ID from the left drop down and {id} from the right drop down
- OK, OK and Preview
- Voila! the screen shot seen here (well OK, I fiddled around with the positioning and justification a bit)

Seems to work just fine :)

linked_report1.JPG

Cheers!
Lyle

[Steve Workings]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

Yup yup, should be that simple. And it is/was for one of the two child links I need (actually I need three but have only attempted the two so far). One of my links goes very nicely, and is as easy to implement as you suggest. The other does not does not does not work.

One thing I think I'm doing differently from most is putting both of my linked reports into the group footer section of the parent report. Trying to put them side-by-side in one row. But even when I try the one that doesn't work all by itself, nothing shows.

And it also seems that I should be able to write a function that returns data on separate lines, yet both <BR> and CRLF() are completely ignored in the output.

[2ninerniner2]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

Well it's heartening to hear that I am on the right track with Layout Reports and Linked Reports However, once you start talking roll-your-own functions, that's over my head ... for now :)

The only other thing that this noob can suggest, and I am sure you have done so, it to right click in the offending linked report and select Refresh linked reports. This got me the first time after I made some changes and then all of a sudden, there was nothing in the linked report.

[Steve Workings]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

Lyle - a UDF in effect is little different than an expression.

Make a layout report, and find or make a blank cell.

Edit that cell and specify that it's an Expression.

Then enter this expression:

"Alpha" + crlf() + "Software"

or this:

"Alpha <br> Software"

and preview your report.

At least one of these should (IMHO) have put the "Software" part of this on the second line. But neither does and I don't know what will.

[Peter.Greulich]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

One thing I think I'm doing differently from most is putting both of my linked reports into the group footer section of the parent report.

Maybe that's the problem? Try putting the link in the detail section and see if that works.

[Steve Workings]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

One of the two linked reports works fine in the group footer - just what I want. And putting the linked reports into the detail section does not fit my report design needs at all.

[frankbicknell]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

I just gotta ask.. are you sure the link query is returning data?

[Steve Workings]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

Yes. I can preview the child linked table with data as I expect. I've included the linking key field in the preview so I can be sure I'm getting what I need.

Then, when I use my UDF I also get the right data - just can't format it properly as described here.

[kingcarol]

Re: Layout report - function to return multiple lines

Every time I try linked reports I fail. Tried one again this morning and it was working fine in Preview, but then I added a border to the fields in the child layout and the linked report won't show up on parent report anymore. It's narrower than the parent report, etc., etc. So I went and removed the borders and it still won't work. It all seems way too touchy. IMPORTANT NOTE: I have NOT been saving my parent report after testing it with a linked report. Each time I open the parent report and insert the linked report, reselect the joins, and do the preview. Then I close the parent without saving (for now, so that I don't have to refresh the linked report etc while making changes to it).