Introduction › Creating a Report Definition from a Dataview

Creating a Report Definition from a Dataview

To create a report definition, enter the command CREATE REPORT or select option 2 from the Report Maintenance Menu. You are prompted for the rest of the command. To bypass the prompter, enter the complete CREATE REPORT command. The format of the CREATE REPORT command is:

CREATE REPORT [name [{FROM|USING} {*|DVW [auth‑id.]dvw‑name}]

name

Specifies the one‑ to eight‑character name assigned to the new report definition. This value is required only because you are entering a USING or FROM clause, such as one of the following:

FROM *

FROM DVW auth‑id.dvw‑name

USING *

USING DVW auth‑id.dvw‑name

• These parameters indicate that the report is created from the specified dataview. You can specify the dataview explicitly by entering the dvw‑name with the authorization ID for SQL dataviews or, if a dataview definition is current, you can specify the current dataview by entering an asterisk (*). A dataview definition is current if it is the last entity you displayed or edited.
• The report definition is actually created when you access the EDIT REPORT DETAIL fill‑in. A primary group, containing exactly the fields in the dataview, is automatically defined. The fields are arranged across the report page, using the spacing specified by default in the report Parameters fill‑in. No report, page, or break headings are defined. Column headings are determined from the dataview definition.

When you enter the CREATE REPORT command, the report Identification fill‑in displays. This fill‑in establishes the report name (if it was not entered as part of the CREATE REPORT command) and provides identification information. Until the report is named in the CREATE REPORT command or on the report Identification fill‑in, the new definition does not exist. Naming the report enters the report definition as an entity in the dictionary. When the name is entered on the Identification fill‑in that report becomes the current report.