Report Builder Columns

Different Columns contained in Report Builder are:

1)      Data Columns

2)      Formula Columns

3)      Summary Columns

4)      Placeholder Columns

Data Columns:

Data Columns contain the data values for a report.

Data Columns are corresponding to the table columns included in the select list of a query.

Each column is placed in the group associated with the query.

Formula Columns:

Formula Columns performs user-defined computations.

Formula Columns executes a PL/SQL function and must return a value.

Formula Columns can be placed at the Report or Query level.
Formula Columns should not be used to set a parameter’s value.

Formula Columns is denoted by CF_

Summary Columns:

Summary Columns are used for calculating summary information like

1)      Sum

2)      Average

3)      Minimum

4)      Maximum

5)      Count

6)      First

7)      Last

8)      % of Total

9)      Std Deviation

10)  Variance

Summary Columns can be placed at the Report or Query level.

Summary Columns is denoted by CS_

Placeholder Columns:

Placeholder Columns are storage areas in the Data Model.

Used for Temporary storage of data for future reference.

Placeholder Columns value can be set in the following places:

1)      Before Report Trigger

2)      Report-Level Formula Columns

Placeholder Columns can be populated by a Before Report Trigger but are generally populated by a Formula.

Although Placeholders allow PL/SQL to be written within them, they cannot be self-populated, their value must be set by an external program Unit, any attempts at self-population will result in a runtime compilation error. However the Formula assigned to the Placeholder must return a value.

Placeholder Columns is denoted by CP_

Example: At Formula column:

     Function CF_1formula return Number is

     Begin

             If :no_in_stock<10 then

                 :CP_1:=’Only’||:no_in_stock||’Items left in stock!!’;

             End if;

               Return 1;

     End;

Example at Placeholder column:

     Function CP_1formula return Char is

     Begin

               Return null;

     End;