You can use predefined fields to create definitions for your report fields, unless these fields have a syntax of RD (raw data) or UN (Unicode). There are two types of predefined fields:
You can use fields and their definitions from any type of predefined table to simplify the assignment of data and promote the shareability of data definitions. For example, when creating a monthly expense report, you can import employee field definitions from the employee table. To use a fields in a table, use one of the following primary commands:
You can copy all the fields of a table, some fields from a table, or individual fields from a table. Both the
COPY and
APPEND commands copy only complete fields and they copy only as many fields as can fit within the defined page width.
Information is entered into both the image and field definition areas of the Report Table Painter screen when you use these commands. The length information is converted into a display length, so the value entered into the length specification could be different from the stored value. Copied report fields can be changed in all the same ways as any other existing report fields.
To copy fields and their definitions from a predefined table, use the COPY command. The fields are copied into the current report table (the image area is cleared when you invoke the command). If there is not sufficient room, only the fields that fit on the screen are copied. In the case of a report table, the Row and Column specifications and control information (SORT, BREAK, and so on) are also copied and they are positioned according to their existing Row and Column specifications. Specify one of the following in conjunction with the
COPY command:
You can also specify the NONAMES option. If NONAMES is not used, the field name is copied as a literal with the field added beside it. If the NONAMES option is specified, the field name is not copied as a literal.
To append fields and their definitions from a predefined table into the current report table, use the
APPEND command. The fields are added at the line below the cursor position, if there is sufficient room. If there is insufficient room, only the fields that fit in the report table are appended. If the cursor is not positioned in the image area, the fields are added after the existing fields. Specify one of the following:
You can also specify the option NONAMES. If NONAMES is not used, the field name is appended as a literal with the field added beside it. If the NONAMES option is specified, the field name is not appended as a literal.