4.5.1  Creating a Report Based on a Meta-Template

To create a new report based on a meta-template, follow these steps:

1. Click the 'New' button on the Style Studio toolbar. This opens the 'New Asset' dialog box.

2. In the left panel, click the 'Report' node.

3. In the right 'Type' panel, select a meta-template on which to base the report.

The default installation provides several predefined meta-templates, such as 'Standard Report'. The 'Type' panel lists both the predefined meta-templates and any custom meta-templates that you have designed.

4. Click 'OK'.

 

This opens a new report based on the selected meta-template. (The report may prompt you to first enter some customization information, such as data binding specification.)

A. report based on a meta-template generally contains a set of predefined report components (created by the meta-template designer to enforce a common look-and-feel) one or more editable regions. You can add new report components and modify predefined report components only within the editable regions. You cannot modify components or report properties (including page setup) that are outside of the editable regions.

When you save the report, changes that you made within an editable region (including modifications to pre-defined components within the editable region) are embedded together with the report template (.srt file). Subsequently, when you open or execute the report, layout and properties of components within the editable regions are read from the report file. However, layout and properties of components outside of the editable regions are always read from the external meta-template definition.

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