Understanding Tabular Sections

Tabular sections are specialized types of columnar sections. While the report data is presented in a columnar format, tabular sections provide spreadsheet capability by enabling you to define the data in columns, rows, and cells.

When you include fields that display numeric values, tabular sections automatically total the values. For example, if you include an object that displays open amounts, tabular sections calculate a grand total of all the open amounts in the section. Because totaling is automatic in tabular sections, level break footers are not available. You must suppress totals for any columns that you do not want calculated.

In addition, level break headers are not available in tabular sections. Use the Row Description column to describe the data.

When you create tabular sections, observe these guidelines for defining combinations of columns, rows, and cells:

Condition	Guideline
Define columns only.	Define columns when the information in the report is based solely on the data that is contained in tables. When you define the columns, rows are generated at runtime based on the selection, sequence, and level break criteria that you defined.
Define columns and rows.	Define rows in addition to columns when you include details in the report, such as underlines, spaces, and blank lines, as well as special calculations, such as interim totals. Row information is set up horizontally on the report.
Define columns, rows, and cells.	Define cells to override information that is defined by columns and rows. A cell is the intersection of a column and row.