34.4 Add a Layout Object for a Parameter

As a way for users to quickly tell the number of customers displayed in the list, you need to display the value of CUTOFF_CNT in the report. To perform this task, you will create a boilerplate text object that references the parameter.

  1. In the Object Navigator, double-click the view icon next to the Paper Layout node to display the Paper Layout view.

  2. Position the Paper Layout view and Object Navigator side-by-side so that they are visible simultaneously.

  3. In the Object Navigator, in the Find field, type M_G_CNAME_GRPFR.

  4. Click M_G_CNAME_GRPFR in the Object Navigator to select it in the Paper Layout view.

  5. Click the title bar of the Paper Layout view to make it the active window.

  6. Select M_G_CNAME_GRPFR and all of its contents by press CTRL-A on your keyboard.

    Note:

    You can also use the Find field in the Object Navigator to locate specific objects. When you select an item in the Object Navigator while the Paper Layout view is displayed, the corresponding object is selected in the Paper Layout view.

  7. Use the down arrow key to move the items down about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters).

  8. From the font lists in the toolbar, choose Arial (Western), point size 10.

  9. Click the Text tool in the tool palette.

  10. Click directly above the label Customer Name to create a new boilerplate text object and type the following text:

    Top &CUTOFF_CNT Customers:

  11. Move to an open area of the Paper Layout view and click the mouse button to exit text mode. Notice that the text object you just created is still selected, you can now adjust its positioning with the arrow keys.

  12. Click the Bold button in the toolbar to make the new text bold.

  13. Shift-click the labels Customer Name and Total Purchase so that they are selected simultaneously with the object you just created.

  14. Click the Underline button in the toolbar.

  15. Click in an open area of the Paper Layout view to deselect everything.

  16. Click F_SUM_AMT, then choose Tools > Property Inspector to display the Property Inspector, and set the following properties:

    • Under Field, set the Format Mask property by typing the following:

      -$NNN,NN0.00

  17. Click the Paper Design button in the toolbar to display the Paper Design view. (If the Runtime Parameter Form displays, click the Run Report button in the toolbar.)

    Figure 34-4 Tabular report output with parameter value displayed

    Description of Figure 34-4 follows
    Description of "Figure 34-4 Tabular report output with parameter value displayed"

  18. Save your report.