Data Knowledge -- What the underlying data looks like, how it's stored, codes used
Function Knowlege -- Understanding of the business problem to be solved, how the organization works, how the data stored is interpreted
ReportWorks Reporting101
Introduction to Reporting Syllabus and Class Organization ($600)
Developing reports is not as easy as using a word processor or spreadsheet. Unlike those applications, effective use of ReportWorks requires knowledge of some invisible foundational elements to make it function properly and get the most out of it. These elements can be thought of as a three-legged stool. They are:
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Tool Knowledge -- How the ReportWorks operates and ways to make it do what you want |
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Data Knowledge -- What the underlying data looks like, how it's stored, codes used |
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Function Knowlege -- Understanding of the business problem to be solved, how the organization works, how the data stored is interpreted |
This class will provide the student with the tool knowledge necessary to independently develop simple to moderately complex reports. Because it is a general class, it cannot provide the data or function knowledge necessary in every student's unique situation. Instead, the class will use the sample data provided with ReportWorks, which consists of a variety of business data. General ttechniques will be shown for acquiring the requisite data knowledge.
The class will address the following topics:
| Basics of
Relational Report Writing Discussions regarding the nature of information organization within a database application and the specifics of the application(s) to be used in conjunction with ReportWorks. |
Definition of report |
| Review of databases used in the class | |
| Defining the "Master data file | |
| Methods of linking Master and Secondary data files | |
| Categories of Secondary data file relationships (1:1, 1:Many, 1:Maybe) | |
| Use of database indexes | |
| Relational report development | |
| Tour of ReportWorks "topography" | |
| Natural and reverse Master file(s) | |
| Identify likely linking relationship among database files | |
| Description of "Purpose-Driven" reporting | |
| Breakdown of existing report items into relational specifications | |
| Banded Report
Design Development of simple banded reports to meet specifications. |
Description of each category of report "band" |
| Common purpose(s) of each of the 7 band types | |
| Cause / effect of band use on report output | |
| Breakdown of existing report items into band specifications | |
| Entry of text data variable into each band | |
| Creation of totals and entry into appropriate bands | |
| Combination / interaction of variables within and among bands | |
| Report Production and output review | |
| Report
Manipulation Techniques Discussion of queries / filters, sorting / grouping.
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Using query parameters to limit the scope of data accessed in the report |
| Query elements and test conditions | |
| Logical connections between query elements | |
| Algebraic connections within the query | |
| Creation of standard query for a report | |
| Modifying queries to reuse report formats | |
| Relationship between grouping parameters and headers / footers | |
| Relationship between grouping parameters and totaling variables | |
| Relationship between grouping parameters and sorting parameters | |
| Breakdown of existing report items into query / sorting / grouping | |
| Entry of variables in grouping bands | |
| Creation of totals and entry into grouping bands | |
| Modification of query to manipulate content of report | |
| Modification of sorting to manipulate organization of report | |
| Data Manipulation
Techniques Discussion of the nature of data elements and the methods of converting one type to another. Discussion of the nature of data totals and methods of producing valid statistics for subtotal and summary sections of reports. |
Breakdown of data element types and behaviors |
| Description of data manipulation functions, tests and results | |
| Relationships between calculated data elements for existing reports | |
| Creation of calculated data elements for existing reports | |
| Creation of parameteRR data elements for existing reports | |
| Breakdown of data total types and behaviors | |
| Description of data total functions, tests and results | |
| Relationships between data totals and records | |
| Creation of data totals for existing reports |
| Day 1 9:00am - 5:00pm |
Introductions |
| Basics of Relational Report Writing (Part 1) | |
| Break (10 minutes) | |
| Basics of Relational Report Writing (Part 2) | |
| Lunch (30 minutes) | |
| Banded Report Design (Part 1) | |
| Break (10 minutes) | |
| Banded Report Design (Part 2) | |
| Day 2 9:00am - 5:00pm |
Report Manipulation Techniques (Part 1) |
| Break (10 minutes) | |
| Report Manipulation Techniques (Part 2) | |
| Lunch (30 minutes) | |
| Data Manipulation Techniques (Part 1) | |
| Break (10 minutes) | |
| Data Manipulation Techniques (Part 2) | |
| Question and Answer Session |