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Column Mode property

The Column Mode property controls how Reports Builder fetches and formats data for instances of repeating frames. The Column Mode property causes the space that a repeating frame occupies to be maintained even when the repeating frame runs out of instances. This prevents any objects to the right of it from moving.

Column Mode is used mainly for master repeating frames or repeating frames that contain fields that may expand vertically or horizontally (that is, elasticity is Variable or Expand).

 

Applies to

Repeating frames

Value

 

Yes

The next instance of a repeating frame can begin formatting before the previous instance is completed.

The figure below illustrates how Column Mode affects the formatting of repeating frame instances.   Instance 3 begins formatting on page 1 and does not finish until page 2.   In addition, when an instance overflows onto another page, the overflow is aligned across pages.   In the figure, Instance 3 appears in the same relative position on page 2 that it appeared on page 1.

graphic depicting Column Mode property set to Yes

No

The next instance cannot begin formatting before the previous instance is completed.

In the figure below, Instance 3 begins formatting on page 2 because Instance 2 does not finish until page 2.  

layout with Column Mode property set to No

Also, if an instance overflows, the overflow is not aligned across pages.   In the figure below, instance 3 formats on the right side of page 1 and its overflow formats on the left side of page 2.

graphic depicting Column Mode property set to No

Default

No 

Required/Optional

Optional

Restrictions

Examples

Example 1

The figure shows a sample layout in which you might use Column Mode.   (Assume that X has Horizontal Elasticity of Fixed.)

graphic depicting sample layout for Column Mode property

The figure below shows Instances 1 through 3 if repeating frame X has Column Mode set to Yes. The positioning is the same on logical pages 1 and 2, even though Instance 2 completed on logical page 2. Note that the width of the logical page limits the instances that can begin formatting on page 1. Thus, Instances 4 and 5 format on page 3.

layout with Column Mode property set to Yes

The figure below shows the positioning of Instances 1 through 5 if repeating frame X has Column Mode set to No. Instance 2 now completes in a different position on logical page 2. Also, Instance 3, which did not complete on logical page 1, is in a different position on logical page 2 than it was in on logical page 1.

layout with Column Mode property set to No

Example 2

Assume there are two pages of instances for the A and C repeating frames, but only one-half page of instances for the B repeating frame, as shown in the figure below. If you do not specify Column Mode for repeating frame B, the instances of repeating frame C will appear on page two where B would have appeared. If Column Mode is selected, however, C will continue to appear in its same x- and y-coordinates.

graphical depiction