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Report Designer

Work with variables

You can use variables to customize your reports in the Report Designer and create a global definition that can be used in multiple reports and for multiple clients. For example, you can insert a text variable such as
[Client.Name]
 and/or
[Firm.Name]
 in a report, financial statement, or letter for your clients, without the need to manually enter that information in each document. The data for the selected variable is pulled into the report or on-screen preview from other areas of the program.
You can insert variables that pertain to the client's general information, Chart of Accounts data, firm information, and much more. The variables tree view provides a comprehensive list of categories and variables that can be easily inserted into the selected report.
note
Predefined (standard) reports that are available in the Report Designer contain report-specific variables that are best suited for the report's purpose. You may not need to add any new variables, but only to modify the ones that already exist. Using the Design Tools frame, you can modify such items as, period, amount type, and generally how the variable is presented in the report.

Insert a variable

Follow these steps to insert a variable into a report that is open in the Report Designer.
  1. Within the design grid, select a cell, row, or column in one of the regions in which to insert a variable.
  2. Select
    Insert
    , then
    Variable
    .
  3. Expand the categories of the variable tree view.
  4. Double-click or drag and drop a variable to insert it.
  5. Once you've inserted the variable, right-click in the cell and select
    Format Cells
     from the context menu to modify the contents or appearance of the cell.
note
Notes
  • To insert variables into a letter, you'll need to use drag and drop from Design Tools.
  • You can also use the following methods to to open the variable tree view:
    • Select Formula formula button with flask icon next to the Contents field in either the Cell, Row, or Column
    • Select Formula formula button with flask icon next to the Formula field above the design grid.
    • Select
      Insert
      , then
      Formula
      .
  • We recommend as a best practice to make sure that variables on the same row of the report come from the same section of the variables tree.

Print distinct values

For variables to repeat for each unique instance of the variable data, mark the
Print distinct values
 checkbox in either the Row or Cell Properties sections of the Design Tools frame.
Example: print distinct values
Column A in the following comparison chart that displays a page in the Account Groupings report depicts the report with the
Print distinct values
 checkbox marked so that each account grouping description variable prints in a single instance for all accounts before moving to the next account grouping description. Alternatively, when the
Print distinct values
 checkbox is cleared as in Column B, all instances of a single account grouping description variable is printed for each account until there are no more to print.

This article applies to:

  • PRODUCT: Workpapers CS
  • Subject: Print,Reports

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