Creating a Finished Report in VDM

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Article Goal

Learn how to create a professional Finished Report using the Finished Reports Designer in VDM, including grouping, layout setup, label placement, formatting, and exporting options.

Why Create Finished Reports?

Finished Reports provide a more refined layout and presentation than basic Views. They’re ideal when a spreadsheet isn’t sufficient and a polished document is required for clients, audits, or formal distribution.

Use Case: Use Finished Reports to group, calculate, and format data visually in ways a standard grid view cannot support. This includes page headers, summaries, and complex formatting.

Where Can You Create Finished Reports?

Finished Reports are created from the Finished Reports Designer located on VDM’s main screen. You must first run the View before entering the designer.

Note: You must save and execute the View before entering the Finished Reports Designer.

Video Tutorial

Steps to Start Creating a Finished Report

Step 1: Open and Run the View

Before opening the designer, run your View to generate the data needed for your Finished Report.

Step 2: Launch the Finished Reports Designer

Click Finished Reports Designer from the main VDM interface.

Step 3: Add Grouping (If Needed)

• Click "Add a Group" and select the field you want to group by.

• Repeat to add multiple group levels.

Tip: Keep track of each group's corresponding header/footer by renaming them using the wrench icon under (Name) property.

Step 4: Drag Labels/Fields into Bands

Drag fields from the Field List into desired report bands (Header, Group Header, Detail, etc.).

• String fields align left; numeric fields align right by default.

• Use buttons on the left panel to insert items like labels or pictures.

Step 5: Align and Format Labels

Ensure all labels align properly and apply borders, font styles, or padding as needed.

• Hold Ctrl to select multiple labels.

• Use arrow keys to snap labels into alignment.

• Copy-pasting between bands retains label formatting.

Step 6: Add Report Headers & Footers

Right-click anywhere in the designer and choose to add Report Header/Footer.

Note: These only appear once—at the start or end of the report respectively.

Step 7: Add Column Headers and Summaries

Add appropriate headers and footer labels for groups and reports.

Tip: Copy and paste labels between bands and simply update the summary function using the label task menu.

Article Summary

Creating Finished Reports allows for powerful, formatted output that exceeds basic view grids. From grouping and field placement to formatting, alignment, and headers/footers, the Finished Reports Designer empowers users to create polished, professional documents.

Use Case: When sending client-facing reports, internal audits, or summary dashboards, Finished Reports offer the control and layout flexibility needed for clarity and impact.