Editing Defined Fields in WebReports

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Article Goal

Learn how to edit existing Defined Fields in WebReports to update names, query identifiers, or descriptions without needing to recreate them.

What Does Editing a Defined Field Do?

Editing a Defined Field allows you to adjust its settings—such as name, query identifier, or description—without deleting or recreating the field. This is useful for keeping your data structure up to date without interrupting current user assignments or View behavior.

Tip: Always double-check the Query Identifier when editing to ensure it matches the parameter used in your VDM views.

Why Edit a Defined Field?

• Update field names for clarity or consistency

• Change query identifiers to reflect new database logic

• Adjust descriptions to better reflect field usage

• Avoid having to recreate and reassign Defined Fields

Use Case: If your team switches from using "RegionCode" to "RegionID" in the database, you can simply update the existing Defined Field’s query identifier without creating a new field or reassigning users.

Where Do You Edit Defined Fields?

You can edit Defined Fields in the Defined Fields page under the Management tab in WebReports.

Steps to Edit a Defined Field

Step 1: Navigate to Defined Fields

Click on the Defined Fields page under the Management tab.

Step 2: Select a Field to Edit

Locate the Defined Field you want to modify and select it from the list.

Step 3: Click "Edit Selected"

Under the Execute section, click the Edit Selected button.

Step 4: Make Adjustments

Update any of the following:

• Name – The display name of the field

• Query Identifier – The variable used in your database functions and filters (e.g., @RegionID)

• Description – A short explanation of the field’s purpose or usage

Tip: If this Defined Field is already being used in views or filters, verify those views will still function as expected with the new identifier or values.

Step 5: Save the Changes

Click the Save button to apply your changes.

Article Summary

Editing Defined Fields in WebReports is a quick and effective way to keep your reporting structure accurate and consistent. Whether you're updating naming conventions or modifying filter logic, these changes ensure that Defined Fields continue to function without requiring reassignment or new field creation. Just remember to validate that any updates align with existing VDM filters or database logic.

Use Case: A company rebrands "DepartmentName" to "DeptName" in its database. The administrator updates the Defined Field’s query identifier, accordingly, ensuring that all views and filters continue to work without disruption.