Data Dictionary

1) When designing a report, the data inserted into cells are actual values. When previewing the report, the data that users can see are display value. The actual value and display value can be different.

2) Data dictionary is to connect the actual value and the display value. Data dictionary is a kind of display setting. It only changes the display value and make no difference on actual value.

3) Prerequisite: Insert Data Columns, Cell Expansion and Insert Formulas.

1. Methods to set Data Dictionary

1) Select Cell Attributes->Display on the right pane and then select [Data Dictionary] in the drop-down box.

2) Four types: Datasource From Database, Data Query, Custom and Formula.

2. Create a new report and a new dataset

1) Create a new DB query dataset in the new report and drag the table [Category] into the DB query.

2) Preview the dataset. Category ID is displayed in the first data column, Category Name is displayed in the second data column, and Instruction is displayed in the third data column.

3. Drag the data column [CategoryID] into B2 and C2

1) Adjust the cell style of B2 and C2: Set as center alignment and add borders.

Four methods to set the Data Dictionary are described as follows:

4. Method 1: Datasource From Database

1) Set the Data Dictionary for C2:

• Type: Datasource From Database

• DB: FRDemo

• Select database table: Category

• Actual value: CategoryID

• Display value: Category_name

2) A green triangle in the upper left corner of C2 indicates C2 has Display settings.

5. Preview

1) The actual values of B2 and C2 are Category ID.

2) Data Dictionary is not set in B2, so the expanded display value is the same as the actual value.

3) Data Dictionary is set in C2, so the display value is different from the actual value.

6. Refresh the database

When refreshing the database, click the Refresh icon to update the Data Dictionary.

7. Preview the database table

1) Click the Preview icon to preview the database table which is used to set Data Dictionary.

2) The actual value is displayed in the column colored in pink and the display value is displayed in the column colored in grey.

3) If the data columns corresponding to the actual value and the display value are changed, the preview results will change accordingly.

8. Method 2: Data Query

1) Drag CategoryID into D2, set it as center alignment, and add borders.

2) Set the Data Dictionary for D2:

• Actual value: CategoryID

• Display value: Instruction

• Type: Data Query

• DB: ds1

• Set the actual value and the display value as that provided in the Column Name

9. Preview

The expanded display value of D2 is Instruction.

10. Set the actual value and the display value as that provided in the Column Index

1) Actual value: 1

2) Display value: 3

3) You may identify the column number by dataset preview.

11. Method 3: Custom

1) Drag CategoryID into E2, set E2 as center alignment, and add borders.

2) Set the Data Dictionary for E2.

3) Select the Type: Custom

12. Define four custom actual values and display values that are one-to-one correspondence.

13. Preview

1) Part of the expanded data of E2 are displayed as custom actual value, which are then displayed as custom display value after being previewed.

2) The rest the expanded data of E2 are not displayed as custom actual value, so that the display value is the same as the actual value.

14. Method 4: Formula

1) Drag CategoryID into F2, set F2 as center alignment, and add borders.

2) Set the Data Dictionary for E2.

3) Select the Type:  Formula.

15. Define the actual value and the display value with formula

1) Click the Formula Definition box of the Actual Value and input formula in the text area: $$$ (represents the value of the current cell).

2) Click the Formula Definition box of the Display Value and input formula in the text area: "Category "+ $$$.

16. Preview