Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
How It Works
A report is an object type in APEX that refers to a listing of multiple data records displayed in a tabular
format. The word “report” is a bit of a misnomer since its usage in APEX covers much more than just
generating traditional data reports. A report in APEX (specifically an interactive report) is commonly
used to present a list of records to the user so that he/she can modify or delete them from the underlying
table. In this manner, the function of the report can be considered similar to that of a view.
Reports can also be used in detail forms with master-child relationships where the report takes the
appearance of a table inside the master form. Multiple child records can then be entered into this table.
Reports come with a lot of built-in functionality; Table 2-1 lists some of the default functionality
provided with reports.
Table 2-1.
Functionality Built Into Reports
Functionality
Description
Filter
Perhaps the most powerful feature of reports, filters allow the end
user (in real time) to define a set of filters that can instantly apply to
the full set of rows displayed in the report. Filters modify the query to
the database in real time; this means that the dataset sent to APEX for
processing is just the information displayed to the user.
Paging
Records in reports are automatically paged by APEX. The end user
can dynamically change the page size (number of rows displayed in a
single page).
Sorting
The end user can easily sort via each column in the report in real
time.
Grouping
The end user can dynamically group records by a certain field or
combination of fields.
Highlighting
The end user can choose to dynamically highlight rows based on
certain criteria (for example, highlight in red all invoice records with
amount larger than $10,000).
Create Computed Columns
The end user can dynamically create additional columns that are
computed from data in existing columns. The end user can define
very complex formulas to perform this computation.
Chart
The end user can dynamically create a chart view of the existing data
in the report. With a few clicks, the end user could create a complex
pie chart, for example, to visualize the data in the report.
Aggregate
The end user can use aggregate functions (for example, summation)
that calculate an aggregate value of all data in a column of the report
and displays it at the bottom of the column. This can be combined
with grouping.
