7.11 Formula Tables

Previous sections have presented a variety of techniques for displaying data within a Table element, including the following:

Creating a Table Using the Data Binding Wizard

Creating a Crosstab Using the Data Binding Wizard

Creating a New Table Using Freehand Operations

Creating a Crosstab Using Freehand Operations

However, these methods may not be flexible enough to create very specific layouts, display hybrid data from multiple queries, or address other advanced display needs. For such cases, you can gain greater flexibility by using a Formula Table.

The easiest way to use a Formula Table is to follow the steps below. See Walkthrough: Creating a Formula Table for an example.

1. Create a regular Table or Crosstab.

2. Modify the Table or Crosstab until it is as close as possible to the final design you desire.

3. Convert the Table or Crosstab to a Formula Table. (Right click the table, and select 'Table' > 'Convert to Formula Table' from the context menu.

4. Add additional rows, columns, and fields and set expansions, references, and formulas, as described in the following sections, to further enhance the table.

Note: To use advanced Formula Tables effectively, you should possess a working knowledge of JavaScript. See General JavaScript Functions for an introduction.

5. (Optional) If required, use advanced formula table script to create the final table. Advanced features are covered in the following sections: See Creating a Formula Table Using Script (Advanced) for more details.

Formula tables bridge the gap between spreadsheet applications (like Excel) and traditional reporting tools. In a spreadsheet, you usually start with columns of data and then define formulas that reference other cells. To copy these formulas with appropriate references you can 'fill-down' in a range of cells.

A formula table is similar. You can extract parts of a query result set and then dynamically fill the rows and columns of the table. You can then reference these cells to perform statistical calculations in formulas. The 'fill-down' operation happens automatically when the table expands to show actual data.

You can therefore use formula tables to create real-time, spreadsheet-like reports with very specific and complex layouts, grouping of data, and aggregation which are commonly required in accounting and financial applications.

See Also

Binding Data to a Table Element, to display tabular data from a single result set.

Creating a Crosstab Using the Data Binding Wizard, to display summarized data in compact form.

Creating a Table Using Freehand Operations, to flexibly position data from a single result set.

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