Creating a Multi Datasource Finished Report

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Article Goal

This article explains how to configure a Multi Datasource Finished Report in VDM. This setup allows you to combine and display both Summary and Detail data within a single Finished Report, giving you a more dynamic and flexible reporting experience.

What Are Multi Finished Reports?

Multi Finished Reports allow you to use multiple data members (e.g., Detail and Summary) within one report layout. This unlocks powerful options such as displaying aggregated summary data at the top of your report and detailed records below.

Use Case: Show a total of sales grouped by region (Summary) above a breakdown of individual transactions (Detail).

Where Do You Set This?

This configuration is available inside the Finished Reports Designer. To use Summary data, your view must have grouping and summary fields set up in the FSGS section.

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Steps to Create a Multi Datasource Finished Report

Important Note: If your View already has a Finished Report created, create a copy of the view, then click the Delete Finished Report button to start fresh.

Step 1: Open/Create Your View

Start by opening or creating a view that contains the data you want to use.

Step 2: Configure FSGS Grouping & Summaries

Navigate to FSGS → Group/Sum/Sort and configure the required grouping and summary fields.

Step 3: Run the View

Run the view to ensure the Summary data tables are populated based on the FSGS setup.

Step 4: Enter Finished Reports and Set to Multi

Inside the Finished Reports Designer, switch the mode to Multi using the dropdown at the top-left.

Step 5: Add Unbound Detail Reports

Shrink the existing Detail Band to reduce space, then right-click on it and select Insert Unbound Detail Report.

Repeat this step if you want to insert more than one data section (e.g., Summary and Detail).

Step 6: Assign Datasource & Data Member

Click on each unbound detail report, and in the Properties panel, assign the appropriate Datasource and Data Member (e.g., Summary, Detail).

Step 7: Populate the Summary Report Section

Drag and drop fields from the Summary data member into the corresponding unbound report band.

Step 8: Populate the Detail Report Section

Repeat the above for the Detail unbound report section, adding fields from the Detail data source.

Step 9: Format and Finalize the Report

Customize and align the layout as needed. Once you're satisfied with the layout and structure:

• Preview the report

• Confirm correct data is displayed

• Save the Finished Report

Article Summary

Creating a Multi Datasource Finished Report enables you to present both Summary and Detail data in one cohesive layout. This is especially powerful for professional reporting needs where context (summary) and supporting data (detail) must appear together.

Use Case: Present aggregated totals by region at the top, with a transaction-level breakdown below.