Adding Controls to a Report

Variable Text Items

Use variable text items to insert active report variables in a report. Variable text items are useful to show the value of a variable when an item in another control is selected. For example, you can use a variable text item as a title for a list that is linked to a drop-down list control. When an item is selected from the drop-down list, the item appears as the title of the list.

Row numbers

The active report row number tool adds row numbers that reflect the visible row number in the report. This is different from the report row number tool, which reflects the server calculated row number.

Repeater tables

Use static repeater tables and data repeater tables to build a repeating structure of content. Repeater table controls allow you to create button bars or grids of custom content to control the content that appears in other controls. In data repeater table controls, the content that appears in the repeater table is driven by a data item that you insert in the control.

The following image shows a static repeater table when it is inserted in an active report.

Figure 1. Static repeater table control

The data repeater table is the repeater table data container that is available for all report types. The static repeater table is available in the Toolbox tab only when you are authoring an active report.

Decks and Data Decks

Use decks and data decks to show different objects and different data respectively based on a selection in another control. For example, in a deck, clicking a radio button in a radio button group control shows a list object while clicking a different radio button shows a chart object.

The following image shows a deck control when it is inserted in an active report.

Figure 2. Deck control

Decks are composed of cards. In static decks, you define the number of cards in the deck and you insert the objects that you want in each card. This allows you to create cards that can contain different objects, such as pie chart in one card and a crosstab in another card. In data decks, the cards are defined by a data container or data items inserted in the deck, and a data item determines which card appears.

Tab Controls and Data Tab Controls

Use tab controls and data tab controls to define multiple pages for the same area of a report. In data tab controls, the tabs are driven by a data item that you insert in the control.

The following image shows a tab control when it is inserted in an active report.

Figure 3. Tab control

Button Bars and Data Button Bars

Use button bars and data button bars to add a group of push buttons. In data button bars, the buttons are driven by a data item that you insert in the control.

The following image shows a button bar control when it is inserted in an active report.

Figure 4. Button bar control

In reports, users can click only one button at a time.

Toggle Button Bars and Data Toggle Button Bars

Use toggle button bars and data toggle button bars to add a group of buttons that change appearance when pressed. In data toggle button bars, the buttons are driven by a data item that you insert in the control.

The following image shows a toggle button bar control when it is inserted in an active report.

Figure 5. Toggle button bar control

In reports, users can click one or more buttons simultaneously.

Radio Button Groups and Data Radio Button Groups

Use radio button groups and data radio button groups to group a set of buttons that have a common purpose. In data radio button groups, the radio buttons are driven by a data item that you insert in the control.

The following image shows a radio button group control when it is inserted in an active report.

Figure 6. Radio button group control

In reports, users can click only one radio button at a time.

Check Box Groups and Data Check Box Groups

Use check box groups and data check box groups to group a set of check boxes. In data check box groups, the check boxes are driven by a data item that you insert in the control.

The following image shows a check box group control when it is inserted in an active report.

Figure 7. Check box group control

In reports, users can select one or more check boxes simultaneously.

Drop-Down Lists and Data Drop-Down Lists

Use drop-down lists and data drop-down lists to provide a list of items that users can choose from. In data drop-down lists, the lists are driven by a data item that you insert in the control.

The following image shows a drop-down list control when it is inserted in an active report.

Figure 8. Drop-down list control

In reports, users can select only one item at a time.

List Boxes and Data List Boxes

Use list boxes and data list boxes to provide a list of items that users can choose from. In data list boxes, the lists are driven by a data item that you insert in the control.

The following image shows a list box control when it is inserted in an active report.

Figure 9. List box control

In reports, users can select one or more items in a list box.

Iterators and data iterators

Use these controls to allow users to navigate or filter values in a control by clicking buttons such as previous and next. In data iterators, the iterations are driven by a data item that you insert in the control.

The following image shows an iterator control when it is inserted in an active report.

Figure 10. Iterator control

Discrete values sliders, continuous values sliders, and data discrete values sliders

These controls allow users to navigate or filter data using a slider bar. Discrete and data discrete values sliders allow users to slide between individual values, such as months. In data discrete values sliders, the values are driven by a data item that you insert in the control. With continuous values sliders, users slide through numeric values between minimum and maximum values that you define, such as 0 and 100.

The following image shows a discrete value slider control when it is inserted in an active report.

Figure 11. Discrete values slider control

Buttons

Use buttons to add individual push buttons to a report.

The following image shows a button control when it is inserted in an active report.

Figure 12. Button control

Data Containers

Lists, crosstabs, charts, maps, visualizations, and repeater tables are also controls in an active report, as you can add interactive behavior to them.