what is the use of block in report studio

[inu]

Hi
Can you please tell me about why "block" in toolbox is used. and why singleton is used.


Thanks
Inam

[Francis aka khayman]

when you want to keep the contents within the confines of a certain dimension.

the best example i know of using a block is when creating active reports, and you want to keep the report to be contained within the confines of iPad screen. you can use block, set the with and height property and set to clip the contents/use scroolbars etc.


Jan 2013                    <------- Singleton

Product A      100        <-------  List
Product B       200
Product C       50

Hi
Can you please tell me about why "block" in toolbox is used. and why singleton is used.


Thanks
Inam

[inu]

HI
But i dont use active report. I m using crosstab.Actually i could not get you.
And even about signleton.How it can be used. please elaborate it.

Regards
Inam

[nblank]

A singleton can be used for a single value. For example, I use it to display a date in the report header (in my case a specific data when my source table was loaded).

Drag the singleton in the report and define the query for it. Then you can drag a single data_item from the query into the singleton.

Regards,

Nanno

[BigChris]

I've also used singletons if I'm putting a narrative into a report. For example, I might put a block into a report and have something like 'Overall the customers in the north west region represent ' + [Singleton] + ' of the overall total'

[inu]

HI
THanks , I got the point regarding singleton, I m using singleton , but one sentence making me confused " Define the query for it". What does it mean. Can you justify it.

Regards
Inam

[inu]

Hi BigChris
Please don't mind, I did not get you, that you tried to make me understand regarding block.
Is it used for giving gaps between the object. First of all I need to know the definition of block, what is its function, then I can understand the explanation with example that you are giving. Please I m a beginner at cognos . so please don't mind , my silly question. I want to clear the concept.

Thanks buddy
Inam

[MFGF]

A block is simply a structure on a page that extends all the way across the page. You cannot add anything to the left or right of it on the page. If you drop something to the left of a block in Report Studio, it ends up being rendered above the block. If you drop something to the right of a block in Report Studio it ends up being rendered below the block. Blocks are often used to divide up a page into horizontal bands. Consider a block as being like a table but with one row and one column.

Cheers!

MF.

[nblank]

Inam,

In the properties of your singleton to can choose what query to use. This can be a new query with one dataitem in it. Or you can select an existing query, perhaps the query you use for your crosstab.
Say you have a dataitem in the crosstab query voor TOTAL. With a singleton you can show this total value somewhere else in the report.

See attached picture.

Nanno

[Francis aka khayman]

This is rather technical and advance... but

You can use a block as a gap filler, or even as container of your report title if you want... this is similar to sitting on a desk and using it as a chair... but that is not the essence of a desk.

a block is an entity which can be used to contain Report Studio elements within a certain confine or dimensions. but you need to set the the clip properties (use scroll bars, clip contents, etc etc.). my example again is active report where you want to keep the report within the confine of your ipad screen.

another example is like this textarea editor where we write our replies. if there is too much text in your reply, you will notice a scroll bar appears at the right side. in cognos we can put something with too much text in a block, set the dimension and set to use scroll bar. i do not know any other elements in Report Studio with that capability hence I conclude that is the purpose of a block