Extreme Reporting An ACEware webinar February 28, 2008

Agenda Justdoit Justafter Complex expressions & functions Variables & sub totals & totals..oh my Reports about Reports Output as PDF & HTML

Justdoit A JUSTDOIT is a specialized report function that uses SQL to request and manipulate information from the data tables. change the sort order of data in a report filter out unwanted data OR add an additional data selection criteria execute specialized report functions –gradspec –gradcred –Stampint The JUSTDOIT executes the SQL commands before the modify report template is displayed

Justdoit Example... Changes the order of the records in a cursor Justdoit(“select *,0 as marker from (cursor5) order by cobegdate into cursor (cursor5)”)

Parts of the Justdoit " ", ' ', [ ] Delimiters used to enclose the Select statement and other elements in the JUSTDOIT Select A standard starting “verb” for a SQL statement * (asterisk) “Tells” SQL to select ALL data from the table that follows the FROM statement (see below). 0 as marker Creates a field named Marker with a value of zero (0) in the cursor – this “shuts off” further JDI actions. The as can be used to add new data fields to a report cursor – see next. As Create a new field in the cursor with either an explicit value or a value from a function

Parts of the Justdoit From (cursor5) Tells SQL where to get the data that we are manipulating with the JUSTDOIT. In most cases it will be from Cursor5 (default cursor created when the report opens). Where States a conditional clause that data must meet to be included in the report (e.g. where due-paid > 0.00) Group by Groups data in the cursor by the field you specify, then removes all but one record for each group (eliminates duplicate rows in cursor) Order by Changes the sort order of data in the cursor Into cursor (cursorN) Tells the system to place the data back into the cursor once it has finished executing all the select statements, making it available for the Report Print Preview

Justdoit The JUSTDOIT expression box may be placed anywhere on the report template but we recommend placing it in the header band of the report. It's a non-printing element and will not display on the report itself.

Justdoit Examples Change the Sort Order of Report with "Order By" Statement justdoit(“select *,0 as marker from (cursor5) order by nmname3,nmname1 into cursor(cursor5)”) Eliminating Duplicate records with the "Group By" Statement JUSTDOIT(‘select *,0 as marker from (cursor5) group by nmid into cursor(cursor5)’) Filter the report with "Where" Statement JUSTDOIT(‘select *,0 as marker from (cursor5) where due-paid>0.00 into cursor(cursor5)’) Add a field to the Cursor and then Sort by it JUSTDOIT(‘select *,addcrse(cocrse,"cobegdate") as date, 0 as marker from (cursor5) order by date into cursor(cursor5)’) Use comma to join multiple fields

Justdoit Tips and Notes…. JUSTDOIT or justdoit..= Same same SAME Mind your “ and ‘ or [ ( bracket matching ) When editing a JDI, you must save & close & re- run the report to see your results. Recovering from a Failed JDI – Tip: Recycle… You can “stack” JDI’s -..Going where mere mortals fear to tread…… When in doubt.. Check with a professional!

Justdoit Check the reference guide for additional (and helpful) information on Justdoit Errors and using Multiple Justdoits Check the reference guide for additional (and helpful) information on Justdoit Errors and using Multiple Justdoits

Justdoit Where can you go from here?? Any book ( SQL for Dummies ) or web resource that helps you understand SQL and SQL commands would help you write JUSTDOITS… ( Google Learning SQL )

Justafter Allows you to...  stamp a value in a field  extract fields to an external file  or execute specialized report functions AFTER the report runs. Like the JUSTDOIT, the JUSTAFTER is a non-printing element that we recommend placing in the page footer or report summary band.

Justafter Examples Stamp the system date into Confirm field on the Registration screen. Use it to log the date confirmation letters were sent to registrants. JUSTAFTER('=CONFIRM()') Export name and address information to a file on your hard drive (dBASE III format). JUSTAFTER('=NAMEEXP ("c:\myfile.dbf")') Start the Mass Wizard after the report runs. This is most commonly used to everyone in a report (e.g. receipts, confirmation, second notices, etc.). JUSTAFTER('=DO ()')

Stamping Values (Based on data in a Report..) Stamp Functions…. - Confcert - Confirm - Stampname - Stampint - etc.

NEW! Report Function Descriptions

Chuck’s Fab Functions… COUNTIT – Can jump outside (your report) to count anything.. TRIMDATE – Formats date.. To save space WHAZZIS - Stamps query used on the report.. NAMER – name display SHOWPHON – format phone QUIKCODE - Shows discriptor of Code Field ie: nmorg QUIKINST – Displays first instructor assigned to course IIF(,, ) – conditional display COUNTNAME/REG – from Course Level.. Get Name/Reg info If you want to be a better Report Master Chef.. Spend more time exploring and studying the Function List…

Variables Variables are used to compare and manipulate data for display in a report Variables are not saved to the database After you exit the report, the variables are erased from memory Think of it as a Data Bucket

Variables You can use variables to: Generate record counts in a report – Get Sub totals or Totals (e.g. how many individuals took courses during a given semester). Generate numbered lists (e.g. 1. First person taking course, 2. Second person, etc.). Calculate values based on report data (e.g. add the payment amount to the total paid IF the pay type is Cash). Create shorthand representations of long expressions (e.g. variable Due stores the value of the function gtdue(rgcrse,rgid) Calculate values then use those values to calculate subsequent values (e.g. Due-Paid)

Variables To create a variable: Select Report | Variables

Variables Name of the variable Field/Expression which should be stored/calculated in this variable Initial value of the variable BEFORE any calculations are performed Clears the report variable from memory after the report is printed Specifies the point at which the variable is reset to its initial value

Variables Specify a calculation that the variable performs. The variable begins calculating with its initial value, and continues until it is reset

Reports About Reports Run from the Deadbeat area Reports by Area/Frequency

Reports About Reports Run from the Deadbeat area Reports by Frequency

Reports About Reports Run from the Deadbeat area New / All Reports w/Memo

Output as PDF 1.Select the appropriate Report area (e.g. Reports | Registrations | Rosters | Name Rosters). 2.On the Printing Options window in the Also Output as section, select the desired output format 3.Enter the path (location for the saved file) and name for the file. We STRONGLY recommend you save PDF or HTM to some folder OTHER than Manager

Output as HTML If you select the HTML format, the system will create an HTML page of the report for web viewing. If the report is more than one page, the system will also create navigation icons for the web page.

Output as HTML You must copy the HTML page AND all associated graphics to your web page folder or users will not be able to move from page to page

Summary Justdoit Justafter Complex expressions & functions Variables Reports about Reports Output as PDF & HTML

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