Setting Up Layout: Relational Data Area

To set up relational data source layout on report sheet, go to the Layout tab of the Relational Data Area dialog box:

On creating a relational data area with the Other Areas > Relational Data Area command in the Data Areas group of the Insert ribbon tab, it is possible to create a record template.

Record output template can be selected at user will. For example, first two table fields can be shown in the first row, the third field can be shown in the second row, and so on.

Click the Create button to define record output template. The Layout Options dialog box opens:

In this dialog box, specify the number of rows and columns displayed for each relational source record. To set row height in millimeters, select the Height checkbox and enter the height value in the value box.

After the structure has been defined, the Create button in the Relational Data Area dialog box changes to Add:

Bind cells of the created template to data source fields, or define formula, based on which value is to be calculated. To do this, select the Bind to Data Source Field item in the cell's context menu. The Data Source Binding dialog box opens:

Set binding parameters:

Name. Enter the name to show in the relational data area column header. The default name is CELL1.
Identifier. A unique sequence of Latin letters, digits and signs that must start with a letter. It identifies a column that contains relational data area column within the report in a unique way. By default, each relational data area column is assigned an identifier shown in this box. To change identifier, enter a new value in this box. The default name is CELLID1.
Data Source Field. After selecting the radio button choose one of existing source fields in the drop-down list.
Formula. After selecting the radio button, set a formula in the corresponding box. To do this, click the button. The dialog box opens.

To remove binding, select the Remove Binding item in the selected cell's context menu.

If a cell is not bound, it is empty on the report sheet for all the source items.

On creating a relational data area using the Data Sources and Data Slices panel, the initial structure corresponds to the data source structure. For all columns of relational data area, name and identifier correspond to names and identifiers of data source.

Layout structure can be changed by adding and deleting elements from the structure:

To add structural elements:

Click the Add button.
Select the Add item in the structure's context menu.

Select one of the following options in the drop-down list:

Row Above. A row above the selected cell is added.
Row Below. A row below the selected cell is added.
Column Left. A column is added to the left of the selected cell.
Column Right. A column is added to the right of the selected cell.
Cell Left. A cell is added to the left of the selected cell.
Cell Right. A cell is added to the right of the selected cell.

For added cells, determine a binding to the source. The binding is the same as for cell binding on setting up a record template.

To delete structural elements:

Click the Delete button.
Select the Delete item in the structure's context menu.

Select one of the following options in the drop-down list:

Whole Row. The whole row is deleted.
Whole Column. The whole column is deleted.
Cell. The selected cell is deleted.

To delete several selected cells in a single operation, select the Delete Cells item in the selected range's context menu.

To merge several selected cells:

Select the Merge Cells item in the cells' context menu.
Click the Extension button and select the Merge Cells item in the drop-down list.

After executing one of these operations the selected cells are merged into one.

To extend the relational data area structure, select a cell range and:

Select the Extend to the Selection item in the cells' context menu.
Click the Extension button and select the Extend to the Selection item in the drop-down list.

The leftmost cell in the selected area is expanded to the specified selection, all cells positioned after it, are shifted.

To cancel relational data area structure extension:

Select the Remove Extension context menu item.
Click the Extension button and select the Remove Extension item in the drop-down list.

After executing one of the operations select an option for canceling the extension:

Horizontal.
Vertical.
Horizontal and vertical.

To show or hide column headers, select or deselect the Column Headers checkbox. By default the checkbox is selected.

To set up cell formatting:

Click the Format button and select the Set Up item.
Select the Cell Formatting > Set Up item in the cell's context menu.

The Cell Formatting dialog box opens where cell alignment can be set up and tooltip text can be set.

To restore default formatting settings:

Click the Format button and select the Default item.
Select the Cell Formatting > Default item in the cell's context menu.