Specifications

Generating and saving a report
186 InfoMaker
Extended attribute information applies to forms, too
InfoMaker uses extended attribute information when generating a form the
same way it uses it when generating a report.
For example, labels and headings you defined for columns in the Database
painter are used in the generated report. Similarly, if you associated an edit
style with a column in the Database painter, that edit style is automatically used
for the column in the report.
When generating a report, InfoMaker uses the following information from the
extended attribute system tables:
If there is no extended attribute information for the database tables and
columns you are using, you can set the text for headings and labels, the fonts,
and the display formats in the Report painter. The difference is that you have
to do this individually for every report that you create using the data.
If you want to change something that came from the extended attribute system
tables, you can change it in the Report painter. The changes you make in the
Report painter apply only to the report you are working on.
The advantage of using the extended attribute system tables is that it saves time
and ensures consistency. You only have to specify the information once, in the
database. Since InfoMaker uses the information whenever anyone creates a
new report with the data, it is more likely that the appearance and labels of data
items will be consistent.
If you have installed InfoMaker without the Database painter
You cannot create extended attribute information if you have installed
InfoMaker without the Database painter. An InfoMaker user with the Database
painter or a PowerBuilder user can add extended attribute information to the
database for you, or you can change the extended attributes individually in each
report.
For InfoMaker uses
Tables Fonts specified for labels, headings, and data
Columns Text specified for labels and headings
Display formats
Column widths, heights, and justifications
Edit styles