Providing parameter values
If a report already uses filters, and requires you to enter values to display data, Interactive Viewer prompts you to enter these values when you run the report. The prompt value is called a parameter. Parameters enable users to control displayed content, without editing the report. You can modify the parameter values at any time by choosing the parameter option from the main toolbar menu. For example, in a report that displays sales data by sales office, you can use parameter values to select which sales office data to view in the report. Even if you are the only person reading the report, a parameter value enables you to view specific content in the report.
How to enter parameter values at runtime
This procedure uses the Customer Order History example report design.
1 Run the report from the list of available reports. If the report contains filters, and requires parameter values, a Parameters dialog box appears requiring you to enter or choose specific values, based on which data is retrieved and displayed.
2 Choose the field for which you want to view data, or enter a value. For example, in a report containing customer order history data, to view a specific customer’s order history, choose the Customer’s name from the drop-down list as shown in Figure 6-1.Choose Finish to view the report. The report in the example, displays the order history for the Boards & Toys Co.Figure 6-1 Entering parameter valuesHow to modify parameter values in Interactive Viewer
This procedure uses the Customer Order History example report design.
2 A Parameters section appears in the lower part of the viewer. The example in Figure 6-2 shows the details for the Boards & Toys Co. Choose another Customer from the drop-down list. Then choose Run Report from the Parameters toolbar.The report showing new data for the selected Customer appears in the upper part of the Viewer. To view all the data for the customer, use the upper section’s scroll bar or close the Parameters section.You can only modify parameter values for reports that already contain filters and require the use of parameter values to view report data. If the report you generate does not require parameter values, when you choose the Parameters option from the main toolbar menu, a message appears informing you that the report contains no parameters.