14. Styles and conditional formatting

Styles and conditional formatting

Styles ensure a uniform appearance; Conditional formatting only draws attention when data really demands it.

Open Report designer on the desktop Administration.

Your goal

You can create and assign reusable styles and make an element visible or prominent depending on a data value.

Why this is crucial in the report designer

A central style saves dozens of individual changes and keeps reports on-brand. A targeted condition makes exceptions visible without making the entire report loud.

Elements and settings at a glance

• Style: Reusable combination of font, color, border and alignment.
• Report Explorer › Styles: Central management of the styles present in the report.
• Odd/Even Style: Different representation of alternating lines of detail.
• Style Priority: Regulates which properties come into effect from style, inheritance or direct attitude.
• Formatting Rule / Expression: Condition that controls appearance or visibility based on data.
• Visible: Can show or hide an element or band via an expression.

Here's how to do it

1. Define a few role styles, such as Title, Section, Table Header, Detail, and Total.
2. Create the styles in the Report Explorer and name them clearly.
3. Assign them to multiple elements instead of copying properties one at a time.
4. Create a simple condition for a technically relevant exception.
5. Check normal case, limit value, black and white printing and export.

Exercise

Create a table header style and a totals style. Then mark negative amounts in bold and with an understandable prefix, not just in red.

Check the result

• Same roles look the same throughout the report.
• Conditions are technically correct and not too sensitive.
• Text remains easily readable regardless of background color.
• Direct individual values do not unintentionally overwrite styles.

Typical errors and their solutions

• Too many styles: Make the template just as inconsistent as individual design.
• Condition without zero case: Can incorrectly highlight empty values.
• Color as sole status: Is not clear for print and some readers.

Your result

Your report appears to be of a piece and directs attention to exactly where a decision is necessary.

Further information / source

Related topics

1. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Report designer › 08. Layout, alignment and page settings
2. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Report designer › 09. Data fields and expression editor
3. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Report designer › 19. Test, release and fix errors

Frequently asked questions