Managing Report Types

For some of you, the built-in report types (data types) might not provide the flexibility your company requires for reports. For this situation, it is possible to import a custom report type built to your specifications. Although you cannot directly edit report types within the Dovico software, you can export any of the built-in report types, edit them and re-import them. This topic explains how to import, export and delete report types. If you wish to import or export an individual report, then see Import/Export reports.

 

In its simplest description, a Report Type is a file that contains the data fields (columns) and parameters (filters) available to a report. There exists 6 basic Report Types in Dovico. Report Types management functions are only available to users with Administrator security rights.

 

Custom Report types

If you have the skills, you can create your own report types and import them. This help system does not explain how to edit or create a report type as this typically requires the expertise of a professional reports developer. The person who does create or edit report types must be comfortable editing xml data, have knowledge of SQL syntax, be familiar with the Dovico database structure, its security restrictions and how these relate to permissions. Please contact your Dovico Sales representative to inquire about Professional Services.

 

Note:  A few built-in reports use Report types not available in the Managing Report types view. For example, the Employee Time Summary report is built using one of these special report types.

 

To Export a Report Type:

  1. Select Reports from the menu (Menu > Views tab > Reports).

  2. Click the Report Types button on the toolbar .

  3. Click on the Report Type to export.

  4. Click the Export button .

    A .rep file is exported.

  5. Depending on which web browser you are using, you are prompted with Open or Save options. Select one to complete the process.

 

The .rep file exported is a Dovico specific file format that can be opened with Notepad, or the file extension can be changed to .xml and then opened with an xml editor.

 

To Import a new Report Type:

  1. Select Reports from the menu (Menu > Views tab > Reports).

  2. Click the Report Types button on the toolbar.

  3. Click the Import button .

  4. Browse to the .rep file's location.

  5. Click OK.

Note:  The report type's SQL is validated before it is imported.

 

To delete a Report Type:

Warning: Deleting a report type cannot be undone. If you delete a report type, any reports associated with that type will also be deleted. Although you can determine which public reports are linked to a report type (via Report Security), there is no method of determining which private reports are linked to a specific report type. As a precaution, you may want to export the report type and save the file before deleting it from the software.

 

  1. Select Reports from the menu (Menu > Views tab > Reports).

  2. Click the Report Types button on the toolbar.

  3. Click on the Report Type to delete.

  4. Click the Delete button on the toolbar .

  5. Confirm the deletion by pressing OK.