View source for Approaches to Filtering

The [[SmartSimple]] reporting sub-system can be a bit of a misnomer as the reports can be considered more like queries, and because the results are generally web-based, the reports can be used for more than simple reporting.  A couple of not-so-obvious examples are:

* Using a report to front a [[User|user]]'s interaction with data.
* [[Internet Enabled Reports|Exposing a report to the Internet]] to populate part of a website.

Let's look at using a report to front a [[User|user]]'s interaction with data and how that works.  The key elements of the reporting tool needed are:

* '''Report Criteria''' - these features let you hard code the [[:Category:criteria|criteria]] and prompt the [[User|user]] for the criteria when the report is previewed.
* '''Linked Fields''' - this feature lets you make a report dynamic and gives the [[User|user]] the ability to drill into a record retrieved by the report.
* '''Report template''' - as well as controlling the layout of the report, the report template also provides the ability to add scripting to the report as viewed by the [[User|user]].
* '''Report [[URL]]''' - this is simply the [[URL]] associated with the report but that's what you need to link a report to a [[Portal|portal]].

'''In Detail'''

* '''Reporting Criteria''' - these can be hard-coded criteria expressions, [[User|user]]-prompted values (??? syntax), or sometimes the @CompanyID@ or @userID@ to restrict the results to those specific to company or [[User|user]].
* '''Linked Fields''' - these depend on the [[Entity|entities]] referenced in the report (for the company table you can choose the company name as static text, or the company name as a link, for the contact table you can choose the contact name as static text, or the contact name as a line and for level 1 [[Entity|entities]] you can choose the name of the [[Entity|entity]] or template type as static text or as links).  These Link fields when used in a report give you a drill-down capability.
* '''Report Template''' - this controls the format and content of the report and by adding scripting to the header you can convert a report into a real web page with any functions required.
* '''Report [[URL]]''' - you can take the link from the report list - right click and '''properties''' or '''copy link location''' - depending on the [[Browser|browser]].

'''Bringing it all Together'''

* Create the report you need with the prompts for parameters you wish the [[User|user]] to enter or the underlying criteria.
* If you want the report to link to referenced records, make sure you have added the Link fields rather than the static fields.
* Add any formatting or scripting (for example, a link to a new [[Entity|entity]] if you wish the [[User|user]] to be able to create a new [[Entity|entity]] directly from the reporting page).
* Take the report link and add to a new [[Portal|portal]] link.
* Make sure the report is permissioned correctly for the [[Role|roles]] of [[User|users]] that will be accessing the report.
* Test everything.
* Good to go!

[[Category:System Management]][[Category:Reports]]