Creating Dialog Fields for Reports

When a report launches, it can prompt the user for parameters to include in the report. For example, create a dialog box to prompt the user for the first and last dates for a calendar report.

Before inserting Dialog Fields into a report, create them.

1.

Right-click on the report template and select Dialog Fields Table > Create. The Create Dialog Field dialog box appears.

2.

In the Field Name text box, type a field name.

TIP: You cannot use spaces. To separate words, use the underscore (_).

3.

In the Field Type area, select one:

○ Text: Any alpha-numeric characters

○ Numeric: Any numeric value

○ Double: Any float value

○ Logical: Logical True and False indicators; defaults are Y for true and N for false

○ Date: Value must be in a date format (MM/DD/YY)

NOTE: After created, the field type cannot be modified.

4.

OK.

5.

The Field Name appears as a prompt on the Report Prompt dialog box. To make the prompt more user friendly, right-click the report template and select Dialog Fields Table > Modify. The field name dialog box appears.

6.

In the User Prompt text box, type the text the user will see and respond to. For example, you may have a Dialog Field name of Start_Date but you want the users to respond to the text "Type the starting date."

7.

In the Prompt Order field, you can change the number to reflect the order multiple questions are asked in.

8.

In the Field Width text box, type the number of characters you want available in the dialog box.

9.

After the Dialog Field is created, insert it in your report for the response to appear on your report (see To Insert Dialog Fields in Reports .)