Formatting report output

BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise 2016 Configuration Guide

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Formatting report output

The options on the Report Format page specify templates that control how the report’s output is formatted for both plain text files and reports formatted using Microsoft Word templates.

To format a report with a template:

In Configurator, expand Reports in the configuration tree to display the existing report definitions.
Select the report that you want to edit. The report’s property pages appear in the right pane.
Click the Report Format tab. The report’s current format templates are shown.
Click the Edit button to modify the report.
To calculate report text for plain text-based reports:
1. Click options or type values using the descriptions in the following table.

Report definition calculation options
Option	Description
Name calculation expression	Type a VBScript expression to calculate the name of the worksheet that is created if users select Microsoft Excel output or of the table that is created if users select Microsoft Access output. Click the Meridian Enterprise Script Editor button to build a VBScript expression. For information on using VBScript for configuration expressions, see the BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise VBScript API Reference.
Header calculation expression	Type a VBScript expression to calculate a header to appear at the top of each page. Click the Meridian Enterprise Script Editor button to build a VBScript expression. For information on using VBScript for configuration expressions, see the BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise VBScript API Reference.
Body calculation expression	Type a VBScript expression to calculate the text that is output in the body of the report for each document upon which the report is built. The result of this expression will be output instead of the properties selected on the Report Data page. The report body may be one or the other but not both. If you want to include property values in the report body, they must be retrieved by this expression. Click the Meridian Enterprise Script Editor button to build a VBScript expression. For information on using VBScript for configuration expressions, see the BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise VBScript API Reference.
Footer calculation expression	Type a VBScript expression to calculate a footer to appear at the bottom of each page. Click the Meridian Enterprise Script Editor button to build a VBScript expression. For information on using VBScript for configuration expressions, see the BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise VBScript API Reference.

To add a new template, click the Add button. The New Report Template dialog box appears.

Click options or type values using the descriptions in the following table.

New report definition template options
Option	Description
Microsoft Word template	Click Browse to select a Microsoft Word file to format the report output, as described in Creating a Microsoft Word report template. Note The file will be stored in a hidden area of the vault. To edit the file later, edit a copy of the original file and replace it as described below. If you did not retain a copy of the original file outside of the vault, export the file as described below.
Text-based report generated from script expressions	Formats the report output as plain text using the VBScript expressions typed in the top of the property page. Note The document properties for each row of the report are specified by the Body calculation expression, not the properties selected on the Report Data page.
Name	Type a name for the report template as you want it to appear to users.
Description	Type an optional description of the template.
Default extension	Select a default file extension to be applied to files created by this report.

Click OK to close the New Report Template dialog. The template appears in the Templates list.

To view an existing template, select the template and click View. The template is opened in a new viewer window.
To edit an existing template, select the template and click Edit. The Edit Report Template dialog box appears.

Click options or type values using the descriptions in the following table.

Report definition template editing options
Option	Description
Display name	The name of the template as you want it to appear to users.
Name	A default internal name is calculated. Accept the default in most cases.
Description	An optional description of the template.
Default extension	Select a default file extension to be applied to files created by this report.
To replace file	Click Browse to select a different file to replace this template. Note To edit the file, edit a copy of the original file and select it here. If you did not retain a copy of the original file outside of the vault, export the file as described below.

Click OK to close the Edit Report Template dialog.

To export an existing template, select the template and click Export.
To delete an existing template, select the template and click Remove.
Click OK to save your changes.

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