Links Tab (Database Expert)
Use the Links tab to link two or more database tables together. When you choose more than one table on the Data Tab, the Links tab appears.
You link tables so records from one table will match related records from another. The easiest way to link tables is to select Auto-Link. Auto-Linking automatically chooses links for your tables based on common fields in tables, or foreign key relationships between tables (if your database supports foreign keys). You can also manually link database tables.
| Links display area | The display area shows all the tables currently in your report along with links and indexes.
A key to the index indicators is displayed when you click the Index Legend button. Click and drag one field to another to manually link the tables. There are no limitations to your linking structure, provided they are within the limitations defined by the database vendor. |
| Auto-Arrange | When you click this button, the program arranges the tables to fit in the most efficient manner inside the Links display area. |
| Auto-Link | Click By Name to link tables by their names or By Key to use foreign key information. |
| Link | Click Link to link tables automatically. Clicking this button automatically chooses links for your tables based on common fields in tables or foreign key relationships among the tables (if your data supports foreign keys). |
| Order Links | If you have multiple links, you can use the Order Links function to arrange the links in the order you would like them to be processed. Different link orders may result in different queries. |
| Clear Links | Click this button to clear all the current table links. |
| Delete Link | Click a link then click this button to remove it. |
| Link Options | To activate this button, you must have a link line selected. Once you have a link selected, click this button to open the Link Options dialog box where you can choose the join type and link type. |
| Index Legend | Click this button to open the Index Legend dialog box so you can see a key to the index indicators used in the Links display area. |