Specifications

13 – Configuring Reports
266 R400
Creating Custom Reports with Excel
To create a Microsoft Excel report you need to:
• Create a report definition file to define the data that the report will contain.
• Configure the report on Station to specify when and how your report will be
run.
Creating the Report Definition File
A report definition file is an Microsoft Excel File that is set up to access and
process data from the server database. There are two ways to access data in the
server database–through Microsoft Excel Data Exchange or the PlantScape ODBC
Driver.
Inserting Server Data into Your Report
Data you can access using Microsoft Excel Reports includes:
• Point parameter values and history data
• Alarms and events
• Other data in any server or system files
To insert server data into your report, set up either Microsoft Excel Data
Exchange functions or ODBC queries that access the server database. You can
then set up calculations and graphs that use the data in your report file.
When the report is run:
• All functions and queries contained within the report definition file are
executed, updating the data in the report.
• Any calculations or graphs in the report are refreshed
• The data in the report definition file is saved as a Microsoft Excel file in the
PlantScape report folder. All links, formulas, and ODBC queries are removed
in the report output–it becomes a snapshot of the data in the file at the time
the report was requested. This prevents report data from being subsequently
refreshed. The report file is named rptnnn.xls, where nnn is the number
of the report. A rptnnn.htm file is also generated, to enable viewing of
the report from Station.
• The report can be printed. Printing uses the printer settings configured on
Microsoft Excel and sent to the printer configured on Station.
plscpcg.book Page 266 Monday, May 28, 2001 10:11 AM