This topic describes how to write your own reports on Power-Gx. There are a
full set reports already available so it is advised that you check whether one of
the existing reports already provides the date you require before you begin.
To create reports, its essential to understand the basic principles of the
advanced search function on Power-Gx, i.e. choose the Dictionary + Search Operand + Selection Criteria within that field.
Some examples are given in the table below:
Choose Dictionary
+ Search Operand
+ Selection Criteria
Telephone Number
Equals
"[4560022]"
Customer Name
Equals
"[Smith]"
2+ Months Balance
Greater Than
"50"
Last Order Date
Less Than
"01/01/08"
Turnover This Month
Greater Than or Equal To
"1000"
The square bracket characters [ and ] used in the selection criteria are known
as wildcards. They allow you to match any characters on either side of the
brackets. For example if the telephone number had a dialing code in front of
the number, this search would still match it. [Smith] will select any records
containing Smith somewhere in the customer name, including John Smith, R.
Smith & Co, Smithson Ltd, Smith & Morris etc. If you simply type Smith it will
only match records where the company name is Smith exactly. Multiple
search dictionaries and selection criteria can be used to specify the records
retrieved. Selection criteria must be enclosed in double quotes.
Once you understand the way searches are compiled in order to retrieve the
data you require, you can begin creating the report as follows;
1. From the toolbar, choose any part of the system, e.g. Gx Sales, Gx
Stock, Gx SOP etc.
2. Select Reports on the menu.
3. Double-click Adhoc Report from the list of reports.
4. From the Create Report list, double-click the part of the system you wish
to create the report in. E.g. Gx Sales, Gx Stock, Gx SOP etc. This
displays the files within that part of the system which you can write your
report from.
5. Click the file you require to display the dictionaries available to use as
columns on your report. If you are unsure which file to create your report
from, try clicking each one and viewing the dictionaries within it to see if it
includes the ones you want as columns on your report. Click here
to
view an example of the Adhoc Report Writer screen.
6. Enter a Report Title at the top right of the screen.
7. Double-click Dictionary Name from the list in the centre to add it to your
report. It will then be displayed in the list to the right of the screen.
8. To add search criteria to this dictionary, double-click it in the list of
selected dictionaries on the right.
9. You can add an operand to specify the selection criteria you want applied
within this field. E.g. EQ for equals to, LT for less than etc.
10. In the white Selection Criteria window, type your criteria enclosed by
double quotes e.g. "[4560022]", "01/01/06", "Smith]", using the brackets
as wildcards if required. Click the Ok button.
11. Add further dictionaries and selection criteria in the same way until you
have selected all the columns required on your report.
12. You can choose the user
groups who are allowed access to this report
by ticking the check-boxes against the groups displayed at the bottom
left of the screen.
13. Click the Save button. Enter a file name for this report, this can be the
same as the report title or an abbreviated version. This name will appear
in the list of bespoke saved reports available to print or export so it
should clearly identify the report.