Understanding Data Fields

Data fields are individual data containers that reside in report sections. Page numbers, dates, and report names are all examples of data fields. You can add data fields to any type of report section, although you cannot add every data field type to every report section type. For example, you typically add data fields (such as report name, date, and so forth) to the page header of a report.

After creating the report, you can:

• Insert data fields.

• Delete data fields.

• Change data field names.

• Change column heading text.

• Disconnect a constant from its variable.

  In a group section, you can separate the constant text from the variable that it describes. For example, you can modify a report that contains the Business Unit field and its description by changing the constant to read Business Unit Number and Name. You can then disconnect the Description text from the Description variable, delete the text, and still retrieve the value from the JD Edwards EnterpriseOne table.

• Perform in-section totaling.

  When you are not concerned with how calculations are presented, you can include calculations within columnar and group sections. For example, you can perform calculations in one hidden section for use in another. You can calculate a total, a grand total, or both.

  When you want to format and display totals in columnar and group section reports, perform the calculations in level break footers. You can provide descriptive labels for the aggregates in level break footers.

  See Working with Level Break Sections.

This table describes the data fields that are available in Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Report Design Aid (RDA):

Field	Description
Constants	Static fields that display a string of text, such as a company name inserted in the page header. You can insert constant fields into any report section.
Alpha Variables	Fields that contain alphanumeric data that are populated using an event rule. You can insert alpha variables into any report section.
Numeric Variables	Fields that contain numbers and are typically used for calculations. You can insert numeric variables into any report section.
Date Variables	Fields that contain dates. You can insert date variables into any report section.
Report Date	Runtime field that contain the date when the report is run. Report dates are typically used in page headers, but you can insert them into any report section except columnar and tabular.
Report Time	Runtime field that contain the time at which the report is run. Report times are typically used in page headers, but you can insert them into any report section except columnar and tabular.
Page Number	Runtime field that display the current page number. Page numbers are typically used in page headers, but you can insert them into any report section except columnar and tabular.
Page n of Total	Runtime field that display both the current page number and the total number of pages in the report (such as Page 4 of 10). Page n of Total fields are typically used in page headers, but you can insert them into page footers.
Company Title	Runtime field that contain the name of the default company (company 00000). Company titles are typically used in page headers, but you can insert them into any report section except columnar and tabular.
Report Title	Runtime field that contain the report title. Report titles are typically used in page headers, but you can insert them into any report section except columnar and tabular.

Data fields that you insert into columnar and tabular sections appear in columnar format. Column headings are constants with associated variables. Column headings and variables are attached, so when you move or delete one, RDA moves or deletes the other.

In group sections, data fields also comprise constants and variables, but they appear side-by-side instead of in a columnar format. Unlike columnar and tabular sections, you can move constants and variables independently of each other. Furthermore, by disconnecting the two, you can separate the constant from the variable and delete one without deleting the other. When you delete the constant, you retain the variable, and the associated data still appears in the report.

You must click the intended report section prior to selecting a data field. If you place the data field in the wrong section, you must delete the field and reenter it into the correct section. You cannot move the data field to another section of the report. If you selected the wrong section in a group section report and notice after you select the data field, you must drop the data field in the incorrect section and then delete it. You cannot select another data field until you position the one that you have already selected.

You can modify the appearance of data fields by changing the headings, moving them, changing the size, font, or color, or associating them with lines or boxes. You can modify the behavior of data fields by attaching event rules.