Editing an existing report

Last Updated : Jun 30, 2023 |

About this task

Use this procedure to edit an exiting report in Report Designer. If you consistently do all of these tasks for each report you want to edit, your reports will run properly and you will be able to create them efficiently.

Procedure

  1. Copy an existing report so that you start the design process with existing report headings, data fields, queries, charts, tables, and other report features.

    When you copy a report to the Designer category, the original report remains intact and is still located in the original report category.

    You can also run a report and then select Design from the Report menu. This takes you directly into design mode, and you will be asked if you want to save the report (with a new name, in the Designer category) when you exit design mode.

    For more information, see Copy a Report to the Designer Category.

  2. Define the name that you use both to run the report and to access the report design if you want to change the design.

    Define access to specify whether other users can run the report and can copy the report’s design to create their own custom reports. Define the type as real-time, historical, or integrated. When you copy a report to the Designer category with Report Manager, the Properties window automatically displays as part of the copy process.

    For more information, see Viewing Report Properties.

  3. Access Report Designer so that you can design the report.

    For more information, see Opening Report Designer with Edit or New.

  4. Edit a report design with the Cut, Copy, and Paste Edit menu options and standard Windows drag-and-drop conventions.

    Edit an existing report design to rearrange and delete sections of the report.

    For more information, see Design mode basics.

  5. Define inputs for the report input window so that users can run the report with parameters they choose.

    For example, users can choose the following parameters: split, agent, time, date, and so on.

    You can also define Inputs while you create a query. To do so, select Inputs on the WHERE clause window.

    For more information, see The Edit | Inputs menu option.

  6. Optional Define which rows of data from specific CMS database tables will supply data for the grids and charts on the report. If you copy a report design, the definitions of that report’s queries are copied. You can then modify the queries, as required.

    For more information, see The Edit | Queries menu option.

  7. Optional Define what data from the queries should appear in each chart, field, or table on the report. If you copy a report design, the definitions of that report’s charts, fields, and tables are copied. You can then modify the definitions as required.

    For more information, see any of the following chapters:

  8. Optional Enter text to provide headings for the tables and charts on the report, and to provide additional information, such as the report name.

    If you copy a report design, the text of that report is copied. You can then modify the text as desired.

    For more information, see The Insert | Text menu option.

  9. Optional Define fields on the report to show when the report was run and what items the report covers as defined in the report input window.

    If you copy a report design these fields are copied. You can modify them as required.

    For more information, see The Insert | Fieldmenu option.

  10. Save the report before you test it.
  11. Test your report immediately after you design and save it.

    A test helps eliminate wasted time in running a report that has an incomplete design.