**October 25, 2010**
The latest version of FineReport, 6.5.2, is about to be released. Get a sneak peek at the product updates.
1. **Latest Interface Changes in FineReport Report Designer**:
- Desktop Icon: Updated.
- Splash Screen: Enhanced.
- Chart Updates:
- New Bar Chart Design.
- New Dashboard Design.
- New Area Chart Design.
- Added Gantt Chart.
- Added Range Chart.
2. **New Features and Function Optimizations in FineReport Reporting Tool**:
- A. Design:
- Support for dynamic parameters in bound data columns.
- Added functionality to collapse nodes when viewing reports.
- Added page preview freeze.
- Added page-level summary functions.
- Fixed issues with horizontal and vertical report printing.
- Added gradient background support.
- Added dynamic SQL as a type for data dictionaries and cell formats.
- Added shortcut settings for repeating titles and single-page printing.
- Added multiple array operation functions.
- Fixed Flash reading issues.
---
**September 16, 2009**
Using Web Reporting Software to Compensate for Excel's Shortcomings
In many companies with low levels of informatization, business personnel still use Excel to create reports and process data. However, compared to web reporting software, Excel has the following three shortcomings:
1. Dynamic Refreshing of Report Data:
- Excel can create very complex and diverse reports and define complex data relationships within the sheet, but both the raw data and the format must be predetermined. Each report needs to be manually created temporarily and cannot automatically update based on data from the business system database. For example, if a new student is added to a class list in the database, the Excel table will not automatically update. Reports created with web reporting software directly fetch data from the database and automatically recalculate when the database changes.
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**November 22, 2010**
Kingdom Battle Among Mainstream Report Creation Tools: Feature Comparison Series – Custom Cell Display
Sometimes users have personalized requirements for the display of text in report creation cells, such as rotating text. Below, we introduce how two mainstream domestic report creation tools, FineReport and Runqian Reports, implement the text rotation feature in cells.
1. **FineReport Implementation Method**:
- FineReport’s method is simple and intuitive, aligning well with its focus on "usability."
- Example: To rotate the text “FineReport” by 30° in cell A2, right-click the cell, select "Style | Custom," and make the following settings.
**Direct Preview Effect**:
- The text is displayed rotated by 30°.
2. **Runqian Reports Implementation Method**:
- Requires writing HTML code to achieve the desired effect, which may not be convenient for users without strong HTML skills.
- Example: To rotate the text “Runqian Reports” by 90° in cell A2, change the data type of the cell to HTML and input the HTML language to modify the text.
---
**November 18, 2010**
Data Source Multi-Selection Parameters in Report Creation Tools
Report creation tools can use multi-selection parameters to filter data from databases, not just single parameters. Below, using FineReport as an example, we look at the specific process of creating reports with multi-selection parameters.
1. **Defining Multi-Selection Parameters in SQL Statements**:
- Format for querying multiple results: `SELECT * FROM [Table] WHERE [Para] IN ('para1', 'para2', 'para3', ...)`.
- This means retrieving records from the database table `Table` where the field `Para` equals `para1`, `para2`, `para3`, etc.
- Define the SQL query statement as follows: `SELECT * FROM STSCORE WHERE ClassNo IN ('${classno}')`.
- Set default parameter values (e.g., Class1).
2. **Creating the Report Template**:
- Use the dataset to create the report template.
3. **Defining Parameter Design Interface**:
- Configure the parameter settings interface.
---
**November 16, 2010**
*Sharing Experience on Using or Not Using Frameworks in Flex*
This article does not discuss the advantages of using a specific framework for a project but instead focuses on the benefits of using frameworks in general.
Over the years, experienced developers have summarized common practices that do not need to be reconsidered, such as SSH, S2SH, SSI, along with view templates and caching. Even beginners know how to use these frameworks, even if they don't fully understand them.
Without a framework, each developer might have different coding styles and habits, making team collaboration more difficult and reducing code readability. Initially, it might seem unnecessary to split a login program into multiple packages and classes, but as projects grow, this structure becomes essential.
---
**November 14, 2010**
Date Parameter Validation in Report Creation Tools - Part Two
In the previous article, we discussed how to write JS code in the submit button event editor to validate date parameters. In this article, using FineReport as an example, we show how to write JS code in the parameter control event editor to achieve the same validation.
1.1 **Create the Report Template**:
- Follow the same steps as before.
1.2 **Data Validation**:
- Right-click the `begintime` control, select "Control Settings," and add an "After Edit" event.
- Write the following JS code in the `function fun() {}` function:
```javascript
var start = this.options.form.getWidgetByName("begintime").getValue();
if (start == "") {
alert("Error: Start time cannot be empty");
return false;
}
```
---
**November 10, 2010**
Date Parameter Validation in Report Creation Tools - Part One
In the built-in parameter query interface, some data validations can be performed. Using FineReport as an example, there are two parameters: start time and end time. The end time must be after the start time; otherwise, a prompt is shown.
This task can be achieved in two ways:
1. Writing JS code in the submit button event editor.
2. Writing JS code in the parameter control event editor.
Here, we first use the first method, and the second method will be introduced in a subsequent article.
1.1 **Create a New Report**:
1.2 **Design the Report Template**:
- Follow the design as shown in the figure.
1.3 **Add Data Source**:
- Create a new database query named `ds1` with the SQL statement: `SELECT * FROM EMPLOYEE`.
1.4 **Bind Data Columns**:
- Double-click cell B5 and add the condition:
```
BIRTHDATE >= $begintime AND BIRTHDATE < $endtime
```
1.5 **Define Parameters**:
- Open the menu bar and go to Report | Report Parameters. Define two new parameters...