Reports in Visual FoxPro
You can use reports to arrange and display data from tables in a database or application in a separate file. For example, you can create simple reports, such as a list of customer addresses, or more complex and specific reports, such as an invoice. Simple reports might be based on a single table whereas more complex reports might be based on multiple tables. You can also create special types of reports, such as labels. Labels are multicolumn reports that have particular column settings designed to fit label paper.
The following sections contain more information about reports in Visual FoxPro:
Report Layout Files
Report Layout Types
Report Layout Files
A report layout (.frx) file is a Visual FoxPro table storing the specifications for displaying data in a report. Each report file has an associated report memo (.frt) file. The .frx file specifies fields from data sources, text, and the arrangement of data that you want to display on the report page. A label layout (.lbx) file stores the specifications for displaying data in label format. Each label layout file also has an associated label memo (.lbt) file. Report and Label layout files have identical table structures.
The layout file does not store values from the data fields, only the arrangement and format of the data for a particular report or label. Therefore, depending on changes that might have occurred in the fields of the data source, values in the report can change each time you run the report or label.
Report Layout Types
Before creating a report, consider the general layout you want for the report. The following table lists descriptions of general layouts, common uses, and examples.
Layout type |
Description |
Examples |
|---|---|---|
Form |
Displays each record with fields placed vertically down the side. |
Lists Form letters |
Column |
Displays each record in a row, with fields arranged horizontally across the page. |
Group/Total report* Financial reports Inventory Sales summary |
Multiple column |
Contains more than one column of records. Records repeat vertically down the rows of the leftmost column and then continue to the next column. |
Telephone directory Newspaper-style text |
One-to-many* |
Contains one record or a one-to-many relationship. |
Invoices Account statements |
Label* |
Contains more than one column of records. Records repeat horizontally across the columns and then continue down to the next row. |
Mailing labels* Name tags Business cards |
* Layouts that have an associated report wizard.
See Also
Tasks
How to: Create Reports (Visual FoxPro)
Reference
Considerations for Creating Reports