12.10 BTITLE
Syntax
BTI[TLE] [printspec [text | variable] ...] | [ON | OFF]
where printspec represents one or more of the following clauses used to place and format the text:
BOLD
CE[NTER]
COL n
FORMAT text
LE[FT]
R[IGHT]
S[KIP] [n]
TAB n
Places and formats a specified title at the bottom of each report page, or lists the current BTITLE definition.
Enter BTITLE with no clauses to list the current BTITLE definition. For a description of the old form of BTITLE, see BTI[TLE] text (obsolete old form).
Terms
See the TTITLE command for information on terms and clauses in the BTITLE command syntax.
Usage
If you do not enter a printspec clause before the first occurrence of text, BTITLE left justifies the text. SQL*Plus interprets BTITLE in the new form if a valid printspec clause (LEFT, SKIP, COL, and so on) immediately follows the command name.
SQL*Plus substitution variables (& variables) are expanded before BTITLE is executed. The resulting string is stored as the BTITLE text. During subsequent execution for each page of results, the expanded value of a variable may itself be interpreted as a variable with unexpected results.
You can avoid this double substitution in a BTITLE command by not using the & prefix for variables that are to be substituted on each page of results. If you want to use a substitution variable to insert unchanging text in a BTITLE, enclose it in quotes so that it is only substituted once.
Examples
To set a bottom title with CORPORATE PLANNING DEPARTMENT on the left and a date on the right, enter
BTITLE LEFT 'CORPORATE PLANNING DEPARTMENT' - RIGHT '1 JAN 2001'
To set a bottom title with CONFIDENTIAL in column 50, followed by six spaces and a date, enter
BTITLE COL 50 'CONFIDENTIAL' TAB 6 '1 JAN 2001'