04. Data source, data member and field list

Data source, data member and field list

The data source determines what X-ERP information a report knows; Data members and field list determine which records and fields are available in the current scope.

Open Report designer on the desktop Administration.

Your goal

You can read an existing data source, select the appropriate data member, and correctly copy a field from the field list to the report.

Why this is crucial in the report designer

A nice report with the wrong data level will remain wrong. If you understand the data structure, you can prevent duplicate headers, missing positions and totals that are incorrect.

Elements and settings at a glance

• Data source: Connection and query definition from which the report gets data.
• Data member: Selected table, query, or relationship that sets the record context of the report or band.
• Field list: Hierarchical display of available data fields, relationships, parameters and calculated fields.
• Relationship: Links main data with detailed data, such as document headers and document items.
• Field type: text, number, date, true/false, image or other data type; it affects format and appropriate controls.
• Data Source Wizard: Can – if enabled in X-ERP – configure connections, tables, views, procedures and relationships.

Here's how to do it

1. Open the field list and identify the existing data source.
2. Locate the main section of the report and examine its data members.
3. Expand relationships and distinguish header fields from item fields.
4. Drag a field onto the appropriate band; the designer creates a bound control.
5. Use several data sets to check whether the value and repetition are technically correct.

Exercise

Place a document number from the header area and an item name from the details area. Check in the preview that the document number appears once and the items appear multiple times.

Check the result

• The field comes from the correct technical level.
• Data members and relationships match the reporting purpose.
• Confidential fields are not output unintentionally.
• The preview loads in an acceptable time and without unexpected multiplication.

Typical errors and their solutions

• Field from wrong relationship: Can produce empty values or duplicated rows.
• New data source without need: Increases maintenance and safety risk; Use existing X-ERP data models.
• Confusing field name with meaning: Check values on known test data sets.

Your result

You do not select data based on guesswork, but rather from the right technical context - the basis for every reliable report.

Further information / source

Related topics

1. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Report designer › 05. Ribbons and print sequence
2. For Customizer – Customize screens and forms › Report designer › 07. Tables and repeated detail lines
3. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Report designer › 16. Master detail and subreports

Frequently asked questions