Stage 1: Configure the Page View in Vitalware

In this example we create the following simple Page View:

First we select the fields to include in the Page View:

1. Run a search in the module for which the Page View is intended (Parties in this example).
2. Select Tools>Reports from the Menu bar.
3. Click New to display the Report Properties box.
4. On the Report Type tab:
   1. Give the report a descriptive title, e.g. Parties Page View.
   2. Select XSLT Report from the Type drop list:

      

5. Select the Fields tab.
6. Click Add to display the Report Fields box.

   The Report Fields box lists fields in the module:

   

7. Locate a field to be included in the Page View and double-click it

   -OR-

   Select a field and click Add.

   The field is added to the Report Properties box:

   

   Note: If you select a field that is a nested table, Other Names: (Person Details) for example, it is necessary to include a simple loop when configuring the stylesheet at Stage 2. A nested table field displays in the Report Properties box with the following icon . We look at this case here.

8. If required, select the Sort Order. Sort Options and Security tabs in the Report Properties box to configure the Report.
9. Close the Reports Field box.
10. In the Report Properties box click OK to close the box.

    The new Page View report is added to the Reports box.

11. Run the report (click Report to report on the current record only).

    A box displays with the following message:

    

12. Click Yes.

    An XML file (xmldata.xml) is generated by Vitalware and saved to the default Windows temp directory for whoever is currently logged on to the computer (in Windows XP this is usually: C:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Temp where user is the name of the currently logged on user).

    If your PC has been configured to open xml files with an editor, the editor will open and display the xmldata.xml file.

    Note: Your PC's XML viewer / editor opens when you click Yes . By default this is Internet Explorer and you will probably want to change this via the Tools>Folder Options box in Windows Explorer.

Next we configure a stylesheet for the Page View. This is achieved using a combination of XHTML and XSLT and can be achieved using an XSL editor (such as Cooktop) or a WYSIWYG web development tool (such as FrontPage). Both methods are covered here.

Tip: If you wish to modify sample code rather than creating a stylesheet from scratch, proceed to Use the Sample Code. It may however be worth looking at the overview in Stage 2 and in particular Use an XSL Editor in order to understand how a stylesheet is created.