Need a new idea. Subreports aren't cutting it.

[AtLarge]

I'm using 2003 and not getting anywhere so maybe someone can help me out.

I have four very basic queries but all draw from different tables and it's not interelated data.

The output of each is only three rows but the data is 12 columns. One for each month. (actually 13 because of the main field)

I created a separate report for each query and basically deleted all the fluff so now each one is just Page Header and Detail. Very simple and basic.

Since the output for each is so small I would like to create a one page report that has all four of the outputs.

I've been trying to work with subreports. It kinda works but I lose the headings after the first one. I also find it adds scroll bars to each subreport and it's putting a box around it as well as breaking it up so it looks terrible.

Am I trying to do something that isn't possible? It's such a dinky little DB I can't believe the problems I'm having.

I've searched the forum and can't find anything similar to this. Suggestions or links would be appreciated. TIA.

 

[pbaldy]

Well, page headers don't show for subreports, only the report header. The outline is controllable. Not sure I've seen scrollbars on a subreport, but I would think they could be turned off.

As an alternative, I'd think you could use a UNION query to stack the records from the 4 queries into 1.

 

[Mr. B]

If you can move the information you have in your page header area of your sub reports to the Details area (assuming that it is just sometype of non data information) then is will show in each of the sub reports.

The other issues are a mater of formatting the sub reports. You can remove the border around each sub report by clicking on the sub report in the main report and modify its properties. The scroll bar you mention may be a horizontal scroll bar. If so, you will have to widen your sub report until all of the columns are visible without scrolling, thus the scroll bar will dissapear.

There are many formatting options that you can use to make the sub report look exactly like you want it.

 

[AtLarge]

Thanks guys. I'll keep working with it.

 

[dkinley]

Just to add some more thought ....

I've gotten around all of this using some smoke and mirrors to make these things look like one clean report.

For instance, if all of your column headings are the same for each subreport, then create the column headings on the report where all the subreports are located. Then once you get one subreport lined up right, copy it to use as a template as the rest.

Another idea is that if sometimes some subreports have data and others do not, you can set the height of the subreport to 0 (so it is just a line) and set it's properties 'to grow'. Then almost literally stack each subreport (.001 vertically off of another), so that as the report is formatted the ones without data won't show and the eyeball won't detect the height difference. This saves you writing vba for checking for data, etc. borders will need to be turned off.

Another idea that I've used is drawn my own borders in the subreports (in the report header and footer). Then the sides are drawn with just verticle lines so as it 'grows' it will put in the verticle borders and used the 0 height trick in the main report. I could then include different column headers for each subreport without putting one on the main report.

It could be intensive getting it set up and if the reporting is finalized so you don't have to go through it all again, those sorts of techniques have worked for me in the past.

-dK

 

[AtLarge]

Thanks Dk. I'll give that some thought too.