02. Surface and operating areas

Surface and operating areas

The interface combines the design area, toolbox, field list, properties and reporting structure into a precise work cockpit.

Open Report designer on the desktop Administration.

Your goal

You will find every central tool, recognize the current selection and can safely switch between design, preview and multiple open reports.

Why this is crucial in the report designer

If you understand the five most important operating areas, you no longer work through trial and error. You can immediately see whether you are selecting data, placing an element, changing its property or editing the report structure.

Elements and settings at a glance

• Design area: Shows ribbons, controls, rulers, and the printable area.
• Toolbox: Contains elements such as label, table, image, line, barcode, page info and subreport.
• Field list: Shows data sources, tables, relationships, fields, parameters, and calculated fields.
• Features: Manipulates the content, data binding, behavior, size, position, formatting, and expression of the selection.
• Report Explorer: Shows report, bands, controls, data sources, and styles as a tree.
• Menu and toolbar: Offers new, open, save, undo, preview, and X-ERP specific import and export.
• Report tabs: Keep multiple open templates separate; a change mark indicates unsaved work.

Here's how to do it

1. Open a test report and select report, band, and individual control one at a time.
2. Watch how the properties change with the selection.
3. Find the same element in Design Canvas and Report Explorer.
4. Drag a label from the toolbox onto the surface and change the text, name, position and size.
5. Switch to the preview and then back to the design.

Exercise

Select an existing data field in three ways: directly on the surface, via the Report Explorer and by selecting a table cell. Then say out loud whether you are editing a report, band, or control.

Check the result

• The active tab shows the intended report.
• The selection marker is on the correct element.
• You know the difference between field list and report explorer.
• Undo and preview work in the test report.

Typical errors and their solutions

• Wrong level marked: A font change to the report can be inherited by many child elements.
• Panels closed: Show required areas again using the designer menu.
• Change characters ignored: When exiting, X-ERP asks if open tabs contain unsaved changes.

Your result

The interface transforms from a complex toolbox into an understandable workplace where every action has a clear place.

Further information / source

Related topics

1. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Report designer › 05. Ribbons and print sequence
2. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Report designer › 06. Controls from the toolbox
3. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Report designer › 08. Layout, alignment and page settings

Frequently asked questions