Parameters

Frequently you will need to specify a parameter when running a report.  For example, you may want to input order date as an input parameter when running a report so that only orders on that date will be displayed.  Typically, parameters are used as part of the query condition (search criteria) so that only records satisfying that parameter will be retrieved to become part of the report.

Inserting Parameters

• Catalog Browser: Select the icon under the Container tab.  Expand this directory.  Select a parameter and either double click it or click the icon.
  
  
• Edit Toolbar: Select the icon from the Edit Toolbar.  This will take you to the Parameter tab under the Insert DBField menu.  If you would like to insert a previous parameter, select that parameter, and click the Insert button. 
  
  
• Menu: Click Insert/DBFields.  Then click on the Parameter tab.  If you want to insert a new parameter, click on the New button.  If you would like to insert a previous parameter, select that parameter, and click the Insert button.

Creating and Editing Parameters
Even though creating and editing parameters are the same, there are slight differences between the Catalog Browser and the Edit Toolbar/Menu methods in bringing up the editing window.

• Catalog Browser: To create a new parameter, right click on the Parameter under the Data tab and select New Parameter.  To edit a previous parameter, select the parameter, right click, and select Edit Parameter.
  
  
• Edit Toolbar and Menu: Go to the Parameter tab under Insert DB Fields menu (see above instructions for details).  If you want to insert a new parameter, click on the New button.  If you want to edit a previous parameter, select that parameter, and click on the Modify button.
  

The following window will pop up for all three.

• Parameter Name:
  Allows you to create or edit the name of the parameter. 
  
  
• Prompting Text:
  This is the text which prompts the user for some parameter input.
  
  
• Value Type:
  Only those types which are listed can be used as types of the parameter.
  
  
• Default Prompt Value:
  This is the default value for the parameter.  The default value must be of the same type as the type selected in Value Type.