Defining fields for the Report Input window
Issue 3.0 May 2002
59
Define the number of field columns and rows
The size of the input field is determined by the product of the numbers entered in the
Field columns
and the
Field rows
fields on the Report Input window. The
maximum product of the two numbers you enter here cannot exceed 50. If the user will
order the report with names (for example, split names) instead of numbers, make sure the
field is large enough for the user to enter the complete name (up to 20 characters). If the
user can enter a range of values, make sure the field is large enough for any range the
user might possibly enter.
Define the field as single value or range/list
Enter
y
in the
Range/List
field of the Define Input window to allow the user to enter a
range or list of values in the input field. If you enter
n
, the user will be able to enter only
one value in the input field when ordering the report. For example, if you define a “Date”
input field so that the report will show data for only one day, type
n
. If you define a “Times”
or “Intervals” input field so the report can show data for multiple intrahour intervals in a day,
type
y
Note:
If you specify a range/list for a variable name in the Define Input window,
then in the Row Search window you must use the equals sign (=) in the
“where” clause for that variable name. See
Defining the rows of data for a
report
on page 88.
Provide a default value for the field
Enter a value of up to 50 characters in the
Default
field. This value is displayed in the
input field when the user first accesses the Report Input window. The user can then
choose to overtype this value with another value or order the report with this value.
You can also leave the
Default
field blank. In this case, the input field will be blank
when the user accesses the Report Input window.
Select a field type
Enter
x
to select an item in the
Type
list. The field type tells CMS what kind of values it
should expect the user to enter. Field types are listed in the following table.
If CMS knows what to expect, CMS can do the following:
●
Verify that the user’s entries are valid system values and are values CMS can use to
search the database tables
●
Verify that the user has permissions to run a report for the entries
●
Allow the user to enter names defined in the Dictionary subsystem