I am copying the entire contents of the other thread here. Please follow these instructions to the letter. Your last post shows that you are still trying to make the parameter specific to a specific field--but what you should be doing is creating a string parameter that only refers to a column number. The formula that links the parameter to a specific field is the SAME for every column, except the parameter name changes. The formulas {@col2} for {?parm1}, {@col2} for {?parm2}, {@col3} for {?parm3}...{@col5) for {?parm15} are then placed across the report canvas. Here's the thread--I just changed the column numbers to correspond to your need for 15:
Here's a method which allows the user to choose which columns they wish and they automatically will be in columns positioned from left to right.
First create 15 discrete string parameters called {?parm1} to {?parm15} and set defaults for each with all possible column names. For these defaults, choose descriptive names that will work well as column headers. Also enter a blank as a default choice, and using the toggle key, make this the topmost parameter choice. This will become the default option for someone who only wants a couple of columns--the columns for which they do not actively choose a field will return as blanks. In the prompt section, you might want to enter text which tells the user to click on the dropdown for potential field names until they have the fields they wish and then close out of the parameter prompt (without making selections for the remaining parameters).
Next create 15 formulas called {@Col1} through {@Col15}. They will all be exactly the same except for the parm number, which will vary from 1 to 15, so you can copy the following formula and just change the number for each new formula, substituting your own field names. {@Col1} would look like:
Select {?Parm1}
Case "CustID" : totext({Order.customerID},0,""
Case "OrderDate" : totext({Orders.Order Date},"MM/dd/yyyy"
Case "OrderAmount" : totext({Orders.Order Amount})
Case "ProdName" : {Product.ProductName}
|
|
Case "15" : {Product.Color}
default : ""
The formula should have 15 cases, followed by the default. Note that each result of the case statement is converted to a string, since they must be of the same type.
Place the 15 formulas across your details section. Next for each column heading, delete the automatic text "Col1" and insert the corresponding parameter, e.g., {?Parm1}. This will give you the correct (dynamic) name for the column heading. Then for each heading go to format text->common->suppress->x+2 and enter:
{?Parm1} = "" //substituting the correct parameter number for each column heading.
That should do it.
I am also forwarding an example that uses only three columns--you would be expanding the idea to 15 columns.
-LB
