Choosing Data for Report

Selecting the appropriate data fields is a crucial step in creating meaningful reports. Dotnet Report Builder offers two main methods for selecting data:

1. Dynamic Data Selection

Dynamic data selection allows users to interact with the connected database and manually choose fields relevant to the report. The application displays a list of all available database tables along with their respective columns in a hierarchical, tree-like structure. This structure makes it easy to navigate through the database schema and select the required data fields.

Key features of dynamic data selection:

• Fields that do not have valid relationships are automatically disabled to prevent errors.
• Users can select or remove fields as needed, streamlining the data selection process.
• Once selected, these fields are displayed in the Selected Data for the Reports section, providing a clear overview of included datasets.

2. Adding Custom Fields

If predefined database fields do not meet specific reporting requirements, users can create custom fields for additional calculations or data transformations. To add a custom field, follow these steps:

1. Click “Add Custom Field” to open the field configuration menu.
2. Provide the necessary details:
   • Field Label: The name that identifies the custom field.
   • Custom Field Label (Optional): A display name that may differ from the field label.
   • Data Format: Specify the data type (String, Number, Date, etc.).
   • Field Builder Type: Choose whether this is a calculated field, aggregation, or transformation.
   • Field Formula: Define the formula to be applied to the selected fields.
   • Pick Fields for Calculation: Choose existing fields to include in the formula.
3. Once created, the custom field will be available in the “Selected Data for the Reports section”, ready for use in the report.

3. Using Predefined Data

In some cases, users may opt to use predefined datasets instead of manually selecting data fields. When working with structured datasets that are pre-configured for reporting, predefined data selections can simplify the report-building process. However, when selecting predefined data, standard field selection will be disabled since the dataset is already structured for reporting purposes.

4. Customizing selected Data for Reports

Selecting the appropriate data fields is a crucial step in creating meaningful reports. Once the data is selected, it will appear in the Selected Data for the Reports section. From here, users have several options to further manage and customize the selected data:

• Delete Data: Remove any unwanted data fields from the report.
  
• Mark to Not Include in Report: Temporarily exclude a data field from the report while keeping it available for later inclusion.
  
• Link to Another Report or URL: Link the selected data field to another report or external URL for reference or further exploration.

• Additional Options: These provide further customization, including:
  

Setup Additional Field Options

• Column Format Settings: Specify how the column should appear in the final report.
  
• Pick Data Format: Choose the format for the data (e.g., date, number, text).
  
• Choose Column Label: Set a label for the column that will appear in the report.
  
• Inner Column Label: An alternative label for internal use, separate from the displayed label.
  
• Choose Text Alignment: Specify how the text should be aligned within the column (e.g., left, center, right).
  
• Choose Width: Adjust the column width, or leave blank for automatic sizing.
  

Header Settings

• Pick Text Color: Choose the text color for the column header.
  
• Pick Background Color: Select a background color for the header.
  
• Bold Text: Apply bold styling to the header text.
  

Text Settings

• Pick Text Color: Choose the text color for the data in the column.
  
• Pick Background Color: Select a background color for the data in the column.
  
• Bold Text: Apply bold styling to the column data.
  

Conditional Formatting

With conditional formatting, you can apply formatting rules based on specific conditions to highlight certain data points. 

For example:

• Conditional Format #1:
  
  • Pick Text Color: Choose the text color for cells that meet the condition.
    
  • Pick Background Color: Select a background color for cells that meet the condition.
    
  • Bold Text: Apply bold styling to cells that meet the condition.
    
  • Value: Define a condition, such as a specific date, e.g., 04/08/2025.
    

Once the desired formatting options are applied, save the changes to reflect them in the Selected Data for the Reports section. These customizations will be applied to the selected data fields and will be visible in the generated report.

Next Steps: Working with Selected Reports

Once the data selection is complete, users can refine and enhance the report using additional customization options:

• Applying Filters: Filters help in narrowing down the dataset by specifying conditions, such as date ranges, categories, or specific values.
• Sorting and Grouping: Define how the data should be arranged and grouped to present meaningful insights.
• Choosing Visualizations: Select from various visualization options such as tables, bar charts, pie charts, or line graphs.
• Configuring Layout Settings: Adjust the report layout to improve readability and presentation.
• Exporting the Report: Once finalized, reports can be exported in different formats such as PDF, Excel, or CSV for further analysis or sharing.

In the upcoming guide, we will dive deeper into what you can do with the data you’ve selected. This includes applying visualizations, refining data with filters, and setting up scheduling to automate report generation. These advanced features will be explored in detail, each in its own separate guide to give you a comprehensive understanding of their usage and how to make the most out of your reports.