The VSReport8 Designer is a tool used for creating and editing VSReport8 report definition files. The Designer allows you to create, edit, load, and save files (xml) that can be read by the VSReport8 control. It also allows you to import report definitions from Microsoft Access files (MDB) and VSReport 1.0 (vsr).
To run the Designer, double-click the VSRpt8.exe file. Here's what the designer looks like:
The main Designer window has the following components:
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Menu bar: Provides access to the main Designer functions. Use the File menu to load and save report definition files, to import report definitions, and to print reports.
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Main toolbar: Provides shortcuts to the most common menu functions: new file, open, import, save, print, undo/redo, cut/copy/paste, create/delete report, and help.
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View toolbar: Switches between preview and design modes, activates the design grid, and displays the property and grouping windows.
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Toolbox: Provides tools for creating report fields. This toolbar is enabled only in design mode.
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Format toolbar: Provides tools for aligning, sizing, and spacing report fields. This toolbar is enabled only in design mode.
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Report list: Lists all reports contained in the current report definition file. You can double-click a report name to preview or edit the report. You can also use the list to rename, copy and delete reports.
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Preview/Design pane: This is the main working area of the Designer. In preview mode, it displays the current report. In design mode, it shows the report's sections and fields and allows you to change the report definition.
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Status bar: The status bar displays information about what the Designer is working on (for example, loading, saving, printing, rendering, importing, and so on).
The following sections explain how you can use the VSReport8 Designer to create, edit, use and save report definition files.