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CHAPTER 11 Using Nested Reports
DataWindow Designer User’s Guide 319
The difference
between nested and
composite reports
There are two important differences between nesting using the Composite style
and nesting a report within a base report.
Data sources The composite report does not have a data source—it is just a
container for nested reports. In contrast, a base report with a nested report in it
has a data source. The nested report has its own data source.
Related nesting The composite report cannot be used to relate reports to
each other in the database sense. One report cannot feed a value to another
report, which is what happens in a master/detail report. If you want to relate
reports to each other so that you can create a master/detail report, you need to
place a nested report within a base report.
How retrieval works
When you preview (run) a composite report, DataWindow Designer retrieves
all the rows for one nested report, and then for another nested report, and so on
until all retrieval is complete. Your computer must have a default printer
specified, because composite reports are actually displayed in print preview
mode.
When you preview (run) a report with another related report nested in it,
DataWindow Designer retrieves all the rows in the base report first. Then
DataWindow Designer retrieves the data for all nested reports related to the
first row. Next, DataWindow Designer retrieves data for nested reports related
to the second row, and so on, until all retrieval is complete for all rows in the
base report.
For information about efficiency and retrieval, see “Supplying retrieval
arguments to relate a nested report to its base report” on page 327.
Limitations on nesting
reports
You cannot place a crosstab with retrieval arguments within another report as
a related nested report. However, you can include a crosstab in a Composite
report.
Creating a report using the Composite presentation
style
❖ To create a report using the Composite presentation style:
1 Select File>New from the menu bar.
The New Report dialog box displays.
2 Choose the DataWindow tab page and the Composite presentation style,
and click OK.