Pixel Perfect Reports is a powerful tool for designing, managing, and delivering reports. One of its most flexible and user-centric features is its ability to use runtime values. Runtime parameters are essential for creating dynamic reports that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different users. This blog post will delve into how to use runtime values in Pixel Perfect Reports to enhance your reporting capabilities.
What Are Runtime Parameters in Pixel Perfect Reports?
In Pixel Perfect Reports, runtime parameters are placeholders used to filter and customize report data. They allow users to input values that affect how data is retrieved and displayed in the report.
Types of Runtime Parameters
1. Query Runtime Parameters: These are runtime values that directly influence the SQL queries used to retrieve data. For instance, you might have a runtime value to filter sales data by a specific region.
2. Multi-Value Runtime Parameters: These allow users to select multiple values from a dropdown list, which can then be used to filter data or affect report behavior.
3. Cascading Runtime Parameters: These runtime values depend on the value selected in another runtime value. For example, selecting a country might populate a dropdown list of cities relevant to that country.
How to Create and Use Runtime Parameters
Creating Runtime Parameters
To add a runtime parameter, we add a corresponding user interface elements on a Runtime Values Panel. For example, to add a runtime parameter of type string, we add a textfield on a Runtime Values Panel. To add a runtime parameter of type number, we add a numberfield on a Runtime Values Panel. To add a runtime parameter of type date, we add a DatePicker on a Runtime Values Panel. All these actions are performed in the Runtime Values Panel Designer. To enable the Runtime Values Panel Designer, check the 'Prompt User For Data' check box.
Click the Runtime Values Panel Designer button.
To add a textfield, click the textfield button on the left toolbar and drag out an area to drop the textfield on the Runtime Values Panel. Resize and position it at the desired location.
When the ' Runtime Values Panel Designer' is enabled, Pixel Perfect Reports will prompt the user with a Runtime Values Panel when the report is run
Once you have created the Runtime Parameters, the Runtime Parameters will show up in the 'Comparison Predicate Edit' and you can use it as part of a WHERE clause to filter a query.
Best Practices
Default Values: Use default values wisely to improve user experience by pre-populating fields with common or last-used values.
Conclusion
Parameters in Pixel Perfect Reports are a versatile and powerful feature that can significantly enhance the functionality and interactivity of your reports. By allowing users to filter report data, parameters provide a way to deliver tailored reporting solutions that meet specific business needs. Whether you're creating simple filters or complex cascading parameter setups, mastering parameters will enable you to harness the full potential of Pixel Perfect Reports for dynamic and insightful reporting.
Happy reporting!