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Dynamically Placing Graphics

To create header, data areas, and footers within a page, there is the concept of dynamic forms. Since the positions of these areas are dynamic and they should normally stand out in the table graphic, each line generated in a report is able to draw a border in a dynamic form.

Header areas are normally only used for forms from which function related reports such as terminal diagrams are generated. The header area is irrelevant for overviews, such as parts lists, for example.

Note:

Dynamic forms can be identified by the "Dynamic" entry in the drop-down list for the Form handling form property.

This information is drawn in the form editor as graphical row frames and written with each generated row in a report page. In addition, it is also possible to define graphic or text objects as header, data, or footer elements, i.e. not only placeholder texts.

Preconditions:

  1. Insert > Dynamic area
  2. Select the type of area you want to define by using the options the Header, Data header area (for the data area), Data area, Data footer area, or Footer from the subsequent menu.

    The rectangle representing the area hangs on the cursor.
  3. Click with the mouse to place the starting point of the rectangle to be drawn.
  4. Click to specify the end position of the rectangle.

    The rectangle representing the particular area is drawn; in addition, information about which type of area it is (header/data area or footer, data footer or data header area) is displayed on the upper left.
  5. Select the newly defined rectangle.
  6. Select the Insert > Placeholder text menu items.
  7. Click [...] in the Property field of the Placement tab on the Properties (placeholder text) dialog.
  8. Select the property that you want to define as a placeholder for the respective area in the Placeholder texts - <Form type> dialog.
  9. Click [OK].
  10. Confirm your entries.

Tip:

As an alternative you can also edit placeholder texts that were assigned to an area by double-clicking on the graphics of the dynamic area. The subsequently opened dialog Dynamic area lists all placeholder texts in a clearly structured table in the Placeholder texts tab.

The Form orientation property specifies the sequence in which the various defined ranges are composed. If the form orientation is by row, the defined ranges are composed from "bottom left" to "top left":

If the form orientation is by column, the defined ranges are combined from "lower right" to "lower left":

(In both illustrations:
1 = Header
2 = Data area
3 = Footer)

Notes:

Assigning an area to externally located placeholder text

In dynamic forms it is also possible to assign the areas for placeholder text lying outside the area.

Preconditions:

  1. Select the placeholder text that should belong to the area.
  2. Click the desired area and select the popup menu item Assign objects to area.

    The objects are assigned to the area. You can check the assignment by selecting the Select associated objects popup menu item for the respective area.

See also