Creating Row and Column Templates

  To create a row and column template:

1. Open a report that contains a grid, or create a new grid with supported rows or columns.

2. Select a set of rows or columns to be included in the template.

   Note:

   The entire row(s) or column(s) must be selected.

3. Select File, then Save Object to save the object to the repository.

   The Save Object dialog box is displayed, Or, right-click on the selected row(s) or column(s) and select Save as Row and Column Template.

4. In the Name text box, enter a unique name for the row and column template (for example, Sales Template).

5. Optional: In the Description text box, provide a brief description. The description is displayed in the repository under Description.

6. For the Type drop-down list box, Row and Column Template is selected by default.

7. Optional: To save the row and column template as a linked object in the current grid, select Link to Source Object. To save the row and column template in the grid without linking it to the current grid, deselect Link to Source Object.

   Note:

   Link to Source Object is disabled if all rows and columns in a grid are selected for inclusion in a row and column template, as you cannot link this object in the grid. The following error message is displayed: Cannot create a linked row and column template based on the selected rows. The grid needs to have at least one data row that is not part of a row and column template.

8. Click Save to return to the grid. Do one of the following to save the row and column template object as linked:

   • insert a blank data row or column into the grid, omitting it from the row and column template

   • deselect one row or column from the template

     Note:

     A grid must contain at least one row or column that is not committed to a linked row and column template.

9. Click Save. The system validates the row and column template and checks for properties that are not supported. Depending on the content of your row and column template, you may encounter one or more of the following dialog boxes:

   1. If your row and column template contains formulas with external references (for example, to cells outside of the selected row and column template), you are prompted to modify those formulas before saving the row or column template.

      Note:

      You can save a row and column template that contains cell formulas, as these can be discarded. For more information, see step 9.c.

   2. If a secondary database connection was specified within the row and column template, a dialog box displays prompting you to continue saving the template. If you save the template, the secondary database connection you specified in the row and column template is discarded. The primary database connection is then used for the row and column template.

   3. If unsupported properties are found, an Information dialog box presents a list of properties to discard before saving the template. For example, if the row and column template contains a cell formula, you can choose to save the template without the formula or not save the template.

10. Review the properties to be discarded, then perform one of the following tasks:

    • Click Yes to save the template with the unsupported properties, and proceed to the next step.

      Note:

      If you select Yes, the grid is permanently changed. Items listed in the message box are discarded from the grid.

    • Click No to prevent changes to the rows and columns (the template is not saved) and return to the grid.

11. Select the options to save, inherit, or discard settings from rows using the Suppression, Row Height, and Page Breaks dialog box. The following definitions apply to these selections:

    • Suppression—You can save or inherit any application of suppression (that is, if zero, missing, or error) within the rows and columns selected.

    • Row Height—If you selected a row for your template, you can save or inherit any application of row height, which can be changed manually or numerically from the Row Height text box on the Row Properties property sheet, within the selected rows and columns.

    • Column Width—If you selected a column for your template, you can save or inherit any application of column width, which can be changed manually or numerically from the Column Width text box on the Column Properties property sheet, within the selected rows and columns.

    • Page Breaks—You can save or discard page breaks specified within the rows and columns selected.

      Note:

      The options that display on this screen vary according to your selection in the grid.

12. Click OK.