Repeating Group Levels on Same Report

[dellguy]

Here is an interesting one. I was asked to create a report structured as follows:

(subrep 1) (subrep 2) (subrep 3) (subrep 4)
Group Production Shipping C.O.G.S New Orders
Daily MTD Daily MTD Daily MTD Daily MTD
A 1500 12500 1450 13446 875 7980 2200 35678
B 3575 24565 3225 43535 1755 24656 4250 34535
C 2600 33688 1800 44353 1475 26543 3250 66543

(subrep 5) (subrep 6) (subrep 7)
Group Inventory Backlog OS Production
O/H Avail
A 42342 211 23234 43456
B 533 7373 272728 22322
C 5454 5000 6500 55600

This is only a sample and the actual layout of the top section will fill a landscape letter size sheet due to the huge numbers and additional columns (not shown) being reported.

I am thinking to create a report that basically groups on the different groups (A,B,C,etc) from within the inventory and then create a subreport for each major area of data (ie: Production, Shipping, C.O.G.S., Inventory, etc) for the group on each line of the main report. The group will be passed to the subreports (along with other parameters) and values passed back in shared variables. That will ensure the numbers reported line-up with each group.

My problem is the grouping repeats itself on the bottom of the page for the remaining areas of reporting.

Either I convince my user to allow me to put all subreports on the same lines (don't have an upper and lower section) using legal size sheet or I need a great idea from someone on how to do this.

Thanks for any help...LE

 

[dellguy]

To clarify, the groups shown (A,B,C,etc) are all the same level.

 

[lbass]

Why is the grouping repeating itself? Groups don't repeat unless you create an outer group that forces this.

-LB

 

[dellguy]

It is basically a space issue. Too much for each group to show on one line so 1/2 is shown on the top section and other 1/2 is shown on the bottom. I know, make the report wider and put it all in the same section (top). But when the CEO wants something, we try to find a way. If this is not possible, he will get it either in a wider report or 2 separate reports.

 

[lbass]

What do you mean by "top" and "bottom" section? What report sections are you referring to?

-LB

 

[dellguy]

LB - sorry about the confusion. My sample in the initial post shows the requested report layout. The top section shows Production, Shipping, C.O.G.S, New Orders and the bottom section shows Inventory, Backlog, OS Production. But the grouping is the same. In this case, the groups are product lines.

 

[lbass]

I am asking what report sections the subreports are in--there is no "top" and "bottom" as a technical name for a report section. Look at the gray area to the left of where the information is printing and identify the report sections from that.

Also, in your sample, should I assume A, B, and C are different product lines?

-LB

 

[dellguy]

LB - this a report that I need to develop and has not been started. The user has provided the sample layout shown above. I am trying to determine the best way to approach the solution.

In this case, the groups are product lines.

 

[lbass]

I'm not sure what the problem is. You can widen the report by choosing a printer driver that allows for very wide widths (if you are not planning to print the report), or you can use a small font and adjust the width of the columns. If the headings are an issue, you can rotate them 90 degrees and then narrow the columns.

I don't think using subreports are a very good idea, unless you are otherwise getting duplicate data--even then I would just use running totals instead of inserted summaries in preference to using subreports. Are you using the same tables in each sub? You could probably handle this fairly easily as a manual crosstab.

-LB

 

[dellguy]

The challenge with this report is that it is basically 6 very different reports with as many data sources (tables/views). So the only way I can start to imagine this working is by using subreports.

OK thanks