4 Report Layout
The term report and report template are used interchangeably. here. “Report template” stresses the fact that the designed report contains no actual data, only layout and formatting information.
When you create a new report template, you can base the report template on a pre-designed meta-template (see Meta-Templates) or create a “blank” report template. This section explains how to create and lay out a blank report template.
A blank report contains no elements, but it does possess a particular model. The report engine uses two layout models, Flow Layout and Tabular Layout. The layout method affects the manner in which report elements appear when the report is executed. In the flow layout, elements are laid out sequentially from top left to bottom right. In the tabular layout, the report page is divided into grid cells, and each cell contains a sequential flow of elements.
The main difference between tabular and flow layout is the manner in which you manage report layout. Instead of adding report elements to one main flow, in a tabular report you add elements to individual grid cells. Therefore, you must set up the layout grid (see Tabular Report Layout) before adding any elements to the report.
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