Dynamic HTML Views & Saved Reports

We were just discussing a web-based custom report generator and wanted some feedback from the community. I realize that there might be (can think of some) 3rd party applications but our requirement is not quite that “fancy” nor does it have a real budget!

Basically, we want a user to access a form with selections. These might include a drop-down that allows you to select previous queries (selections on form), date range picker, etc. Also, how difficult would it be to allow users to select how the HTML view is created (e.g. 6 drop-down boxes where someone can choose column#1=fieldA, column#2=fieldB, etc.). Couldn’t you just pass it as a URL querystring to the view being loaded on the form (embedded HTML view)… column#1 would be (e.g.) @URLQueryString(“column1”) where column1 = the field that was selected on the form? …same for column2 - 6. I would assume the same could be done with the view selection formula… the value is passed from the date range picker (e.g. JS calendar).

I’m a little stuck on how you could save the selections to be used next time… guess you could take the values + radio button that says “want to save this” and name of save… and create a save profile document that could be selected on the form… does dblookup and re-populates the fields and generates the HTML view(s).

Subject: Dynamic HTML Views & Saved Reports

I would suggest that you use a form with all your fields populated then get your view in XML using ReadViewEntries. You could then dynamically change your view formatting in the browser by using style sheets (xslt) or javascript. That could probably be easier as you could then have one form per user and each user could have thier own preferences…

hth

adam.

Subject: RE: Dynamic HTML Views & Saved Reports

Thanks Adam… great suggestion (will toss in the pot).

Subject: Dynamic HTML Views & Saved Reports

Interesting timing. I am about to begin building an application of my own which will incorporate something very similar to this… when I get it done, I’ll post what I end up with. I have an entire list of ‘standard’ applications that I’ll be building this summer… fun fun fun.