Aligning Fields in a Static Report Table

You may need to add a new table in the Report Designer when a report requires additional information to be displayed in a structured, tabular format. This may include adding new fields, references, or labels while maintaining the same general layout and formatting as an existing table.

The steps below explain how to create the new table, add the necessary rows and fields, and adjust the sizing and formatting so that the table fits properly within the report.

 

In the Report Designer, select (Table icon) to add a new table to the report.

1. Copy the existing table header into the new table.
2. Add the table rows by right-clicking in the first row of the new table. Select to insert Row Below. Repeat this step until you have the number of rows you need.
3. Adjust the column widths by dragging the column borders. Make small adjustments as needed to get the desired layout.
4. Adjust the table width. If the table is extended to the full width of 750, the table may show a red error indicator because it extends beyond the available report area. Drag the right margin toward the right until the red error indicator disappears. This ensures that the table fits within the available report width.
5. Enter the column headings. Type the column headings into the first row, one heading at a time. You can also copy and paste the headings if they already exist elsewhere. Check the headings carefully to make sure each one is in the correct column and row.
6. Add the data fields:
   • Select (Fields List) on the far right side of the DevExpress designer.
   • Find the field you need and drag it into the appropriate cell in the table.
   • Continue dragging the required fields into their corresponding cells.
   • The first column does not contain a field. This is simply a label.
   • When setting up the reference fields, note that the first reference may be in the third column, while the second reference is in the middle column.
7. Review the table. Check that all headings are in the correct cells. Verify that each field was dragged into the correct column. Make any final adjustments to the column widths or table margins.
8. Review the following tips:
   • Make sure the entire table is set to Multiline and Word Wrap. You may want to turn off Word Wrap for the middle column so it shrinks to accommodate the length of the reference name. 
   • Copy text, not the cell: When copying text from the original table into the new table, be careful to copy only the text rather than the entire cell.
     • Double-click the text in the original table to select only the text.
     • Press Ctrl+C.
     • Double-click inside the appropriate cell in the new table.
     • Press Ctrl+V to paste the text into the cell.
   • Text formatting: Some basic text formatting may be needed, such as:
     • Adjusting the font size.
     • Setting the vertical alignment to Center.
     • Setting the horizontal alignment to Left.
     These settings can also be left as-is if the existing formatting works for the table.