| Navigation: Report Designer >====== Report Form Properties ====== |    |
To specify a static page element which prints on every page, place it in the FORM. This is a free-floating section which can overlap the other sections.
Use the FORM as a layer, to 'hold' graphic frames or preprinted forms into which the data from the other sections 'fit.' Another use for the FORM is to hold a 'watermark,' which prints underneath the report.
The FORM size defaults to the same size as the page, less the margins.
The print engine composes the FORM at the beginning of the print job; and does not update it thereafter. Therefore, the FORM is not suitable for holding variable data fields, or even a page number. You can, however, print fields from a control file, if you wish to print the same field contents on every page of the report.
For best results when using a drawing tool to create a 'watermark,' on, for example, a 300 DPI printer, set the fill for the watermark element to 10% gray, or light gray. At higher printing resolutions, try 20% gray.
The FORM should guide the user to the data. You might use lines and boxes, for example, to divide the DETAIL into 'compartments,' grouping data and columns for the user. You may even create a 'greenbar paper' effect by alternating gray or light green color blocks.
Color
Enter a valid color equate in the TextColor or BackGround fields, or press the ellipsis (…) button to select a color from the Color dialog. The Report Designer adds the COLOR attribute to your header declaration.
See ..\LIBSRC\EQUATES.CLW for a list of valid color equates. See Windows Design Issues in the User's Guide for a discussion on using color to enhance your application.
Design
| Locked | “Freezes” all the controls on the band so that subsequent data dictionary changes are not applied. You can override the #Freeze attribute for all controls or for individual controls. See Application Options. |
General
| Layout | Indicates the orientation of report controls.Default maintains the current layout setting as defined by the main REPORT structureLeft to Right maintains the original layout specified in the Report Formatter.Right to Left essentially “flips” the report controls' display as a mirror image of the layout specified in the Report Formatter. |
| TextFont | Calls the Font dialog which lets you select the font (typeface), size, style (such as bold or italic), color, and font effects (underline and strikeout) for all the controls in the report section. You may override the section font by setting a different font in the Properties dialog for any specific control. As you choose options, the dialog box displays a sample of the selected font. |
| Use | This defines the USE attribute for the structure. Type a field equate label to reference the FORM in executable code. |
Position
Lets you set the location and size of the Report Form. The position is relative to the top left corner of the paper.
The Position dialog lets you specify the AT attribute. Filling in the attribute manually is optional–you may set the position visually, by dragging with the mouse in the Report Designer's Page Layout View.
To set a location for the Top Left Corner of your form, specify X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) coordinates with this dialog. X = top margin and Y = left margin.
To set a size for your Report Form, choose from the following options for the Width and Height.
| Default | Sets a value based on the Report Width and Height. |
| Value | To set a specific size, select the Value choices and enter a value in the entry box. |
The measurement units for these boxes are specified on the General tab of the Report Properties dialog.
See Also:
How the Print Engine Processes Report Sections at Runtime
Quick Links
| Embeds | Accesses the Embedded Source dialog for this procedure. |