Configuring a Report

Before you begin customizing a report template, refer to Signature Report Templates for descriptions that will help you select the template that is best suited for your needs. Consider the information that you want to get out of the report and the way that you want that information to display.

The following steps are required to customize a report template:

Step 1: Open the Report Template in Report Builder

1. Go to your Report Manager and select the company you are creating the report for.

2. Open the Signature Shared folder to view the report templates available. 

   

   If you do not see the report templates in this folder, verify you have run the wizard to deploy the latest Signature reports.

3. Use the context menu to open the template in Report Builder.

Step 2: Specify the Product Name

1. On the Report Data sidebar, expand Parameters. Right-click Report Module, and select Parameter Properties.
2. On the Report Parameter Properties window, select Default Values.
3. Enter the product name as the Value, for example, Service Management, Equipment Management, or Job Cost.
4. Select OK.

The product name will appear at the top of the report.

Step 3: Set the Parameter Values

Report parameters define the information that appears on the report. Parameter values are pulled from the table or view that you specify.

1. From the Parameters folder on the Report Data sidebar, right-click Main Table, and select Parameter Properties.
2. On the Report Parameter Properties window, select Default Values.
3. For the Value, enter the view or table on which the report is based.
4. Select OK.

The parameter values populate as selections in the parameter fields on the report.

Step 4: Specify the Data Source

The data source provides the information on the report. This must be the same table or view that populates the report parameter values.

1. Expand Datasets. Right-click Main Table and select Dataset Properties.
2. Replace the existing Name with the name of the table or view you are using.
3. Change the data source name in the Query from the default "MainTable" to the name of your table or view. This query pulls fields from the specified data source for use on the report; you can also customize the query if there are specific fields you want to use.
4. Select OK.

Step 5: Set Default Parameter Values (Optional)

You can specify the parameter values that default for the report. This is useful if you are creating a report for a specific purpose and do not want to select the parameter values every time the report is opened.

If you are using Business Analyzer to view reports, you must set default parameter values to return results. You cannot select parameter values within this product; if no defaults are set, the report will not display in Business Analyzer.

1. From the Parameters folder on the Report Data sidebar, right-click the name of the parameter field, for example, GroupBy1, and select Parameter Properties.
2. On the Report Parameter Properties window, select Default Values.
3. For the Value, enter the name of a field from the table or view that is set up as the data source. This field is the selection that defaults in the drop-down menu for this parameter.
4. Select OK.

The field that you specified defaults as the parameter value on the report. You can use the drop down to select a different parameter.

Step 6: Customize the Report Columns (Optional)

Once the data source is set up, you can add additional columns to the report if necessary. You may select to add columns to templates like SignatureTemplateGroup or SignatureTemplateGroupFilter if you want to view more data on the report than those found in the template columns provided.

1. Expand Datasets and find the table or view that the report data is pulled from.
2. Select the name of the field that you want to add as a column on the report, and drag and drop it onto the template.
3. Repeat for any additional columns you wish to add.

Step 7: Save the Report

After the template is customized, you can save it as a new report.

1. Use the Report Builder menu at the top left of the window to select Save As, and save the report with a new file name. Close Report Builder when you are done.
2. Refresh Report Manager in your browser to view the new report. You can now run the report and manage the default parameters from Report Manager as necessary.