33.5 Prepare the Layout

The layout for an invoice report is created by importing an image of the invoice form, then creating desired fields and frames on top of the image. First, you need to set up your layout with the invoice form.

To prepare the invoice report layout:

  1. Click the Paper Layout button in the toolbar to display the Paper Layout view.

  2. In the Paper Layout view, choose Insert > Image, and browse to select the provided file invdemo.tif. Position the image at the top left corner of the Paper Layout view.

  3. Double-click the new image object to display the Property Inspector.

  4. In the Property Inspector, under Advanced Layout, set the Print Object On property to All Pages.

  5. In the Object Navigator, expand the Paper Layout node, double-click the properties icon next to Main Section to display the Property Inspector, and set the following properties:

    • Under Section, set the Width property to 11 and the Height property to 8.5 for landscape paper orientation to fit the invoice image.

  6. In the Paper Layout view, click the Repeating Frame tool in the tool palette, then drag a repeating frame around the invoice image so that the image falls just inside the repeating frame. The repeating frame that you create should cover the image.

  7. Double-click the repeating frame to display the Property Inspector, and set the following properties:

    • Under General Information, set the Name property to R_ORDER.

    • Under Repeating Frame, set the Source property to G_ORDER, the Print Direction property to Down, and the Maximum Records per Page property to 1.

  8. Click the Frame tool in the tool palette, then create a frame just inside the borders of the R_ORDER repeating frame.

  9. Double-click the frame object to display the Property Inspector, and set the following properties:

    • Under General Information, set the Name property to M_INVOICE.

    • Under Advanced Layout, set the Print Object On property to All Pages.

  10. Click the repeating frame, then click the Fill Color tool in the tool palette and choose No Fill. Do the same for the frame. You should now see the invoice image, even though it is still layered behind the frame and repeating frame.