06. Controls from the toolbox

Controls from the toolbox

Controls give data a form: text becomes a label, positions become a table, a logo becomes an image and an item number becomes a barcode.

Open Report designer on the desktop Administration.

Your goal

You know the most common report elements and can select, place and name a suitable control for each piece of content.

Why this is crucial in the report designer

The toolbox is not just a collection of graphical building blocks. Each element has its own resize, data binding, export, and pagination behavior.

Elements and settings at a glance

• Label: Static text, data value or expression; versatile for headings and individual fields.
• Table: Stable row and column structure for repeated data.
• Rich text: Formatted body text; suitable for longer content, but check carefully for page breaks.
• Picture box: Logo, product image or dynamically bound graphic.
• Line/Shape: Visual separation or prominence; use sparingly.
• Barcode: Represents appropriate values in a machine-readable manner; Type and check digit must match the application.
• Page Info: Current date, page number or total page number.
• Panel: Groups multiple items so they can be moved or styled together.
• Subreport: Embeds a separate report as a reusable subreport.
• CrossTab/Chart: Condense or visualize data; only use if it makes the message clearer.

Here's how to do it

1. Drag the required element from the toolbox onto the appropriate band.
2. Give it a clear name, especially for expressions and subreports.
3. Bind data via field list or expression.
4. Adjust size, position, border, text alignment and behavior.
5. Check preview and relevant export formats.

Exercise

Create a header with label, logo, line and page info. Build a table with three columns underneath and compare the effect in PDF and XLSX.

Check the result

• The element serves the purpose without unnecessary complexity.
• Names and structure are understandable in the Report Explorer.
• No elements overlap or protrude from the printable area.
• Dynamic content is allowed to grow without covering neighboring elements.

Typical errors and their solutions

• Many individual labels instead of tables: Columns diverge more easily when changes are made.
• Image distorted: Check aspect ratio and size mode.
• Decoration as information: Color or shape must not obscure the actual message.

Your result

You design with suitable building blocks instead of improvised individual parts - stable, maintainable and export-friendly.

Further information / source

Related topics

1. For Customizer – Customize screens and forms › Report designer › 07. Tables and repeated detail lines
2. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Report designer › 08. Layout, alignment and page settings
3. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Report designer › 15. Images, barcodes and page information

Frequently asked questions