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Fine Arts Software report writer

Fine Arts Software has developed a report writer, optimized for OPAS. The report writer takes variables and outputs them to Rich Text Format (.rtf), Word 2007 (.docx) or OpenOffice (.odt) templates. Variables come from queries run on the OPAS database, combinations of other variables (including some special functions we developed) and/or static text files.

This page outlines the basic operation of the report writer and includes some reports that can be downloaded into your copy of OPAS. This page and its contents are intended for OPAS distributors and other report developers, and not necessarily for OPAS clients (although you are welcome to use these tools and create your own reports).

Overview

The Fine Arts Software report writer was developed as an alternate method of outputting information from OPAS (or any database program) into a word processing program.

Report content is generated primarily from SQL Statements run on the OPAS database, but can also be taken from optional dialogs that let users set report options 'on the fly', and from other text files. Content is stored as variables which are combined and manipulated via a large library of standard functions and functions optimized for OPAS needs. These variables are then output and form the report.

There are actually three report writers that can be used in any combination - each directs output to either rtf, odt or docx format. All three are deployed with OPAS and the report definition file tells OPAS which version to start. Often the same report file can be used with any of the three word processing formats.

The author or development version of the Fine Arts Software report writer is provided for OPAS distributors and clients in good standing who wish to use it to create their own reports. It can, however, be developed for use with other applications -- please contact Fine Arts Software for more information.

Installation / Distribution

As with other OPAS report methods, clients do not need to install the report writer. It is automatically installed with OPAS version 9 or when Technical Support sends a report that uses the new report writer.

Installation files are given here for those who wish to use the report writer to create reports for OPAS or other programs.

• Run-Time Version - Download this zip archive and extract it to your main OPAS directory if you wish to run reports from OPAS . This will create a folder called "REPORT_FAS_EXEC" and copy in the files necessary for OPAS to generate reports. No changes are made to the Windows registry or system folders. (These files are also installed with OPAS version 9).
• Author / Development Version - If you wish to create reports, download this zip archive and extract it to your C:\Program Files\ directory (or the REPORT_FAS_EXEC folder above, or another folder of your choosing). This will make a folder called "REPORT_FAS_DEV" and copy in the files necessary to author (and modify) reports. No changes are made to the Windows registry or system folders.

Documentation

• User Guide - The main technical manual describing operation of the report writer and its function library.
• Step-by-Step Guide - This guide steps through the creation of a simple template and report, highlighting the basic features of the report writer. This guide uses the Work List report below.
• Setting up reports in OPAS - Excerpted from the main manuals, this short guide just shows how to set up OPAS to run FAS Reports.

Sample Reports

Click the icon of the desired report format and unzip the files to the OPAS\REPORT_FAS folder. These reports are also available via the main OPAS report download pages and some are installed with the OPAS 9 update.