DBxtra .NET Version 4.1.6 - Last Updated: January 11, 2010
Learn here how to install DBxtra.
Please read here to learn how to install the DBxtra Report Web Service.
DBxtra is a powerful Report software designed for easy use by anyone, not just by skilled power users like IT developers and programmers with advanced technical skills.
The trial download comes with two sample projects.
Both sample projects have a data connection to a MS Access database distributed by the DBxtra setup.
We strongly recommend that you check out the sample Queries and Reports provided.
This sample simulates some real life samples; mostly about sales.
This sample project has some tutorial Queries and Reports which illustrates some main features of DBxtra.
When you log on to DBxtra .NET you need to enter your user name.
The first time only the user name is required; enter Admin as user.
We strongly recommend that you assign a user password for this user.
DBxtra .NET allows to organize your data by Projects.
Each Project has its own Data Connections, Object folders and Objects.
To create a new Project click New on the menu.
Assign a project name and select user groups which will have privileges to view the project.
You can immediately create a new database connection by selecting the database type.
Or you can click Cancel to assign a data connection later.
Each Project can hold unlimited Data Connections.
You can add more data connections by clicking New on the Connection menu.
Once a data connection is established you have full access to all database tables and views.
You can create new Queries by adding tables / views and also by adding DBxtra objects like Queries and Reports.
Just drag and drop any of those object types to the Diagram Pane as described below.
Drag and drop tables / views to the Diagram Pane.
Do so for each table / view you want to include in the Query.
If your database tables do have a primary key then DBxtra will attempt to auto join your tables.
You can also manually join them by dragging and dropping the field to join from one object to another.
Click on each field to be included.
DBxtra allows you to assign friendly "Alias" names to fields.
Once you enter an "Alias" name it will be shown in all DBxtra Queries and Reports instead of the real field name.
Add or edit the "Sort Order" by selecting the row and selecting the sort order field.
You can add an aggregate function to group and summarize data.
DBxtra allows any expression supported by the database you’re connected to.
The easiest way to add an expression is by using the expression wizard.
In the Grid Pane &endash; Table column select a new row and select ”<Expression>”.
Insert any expression either manually or use the Objects fields.
This will insert the expression into the Query.
To assign a criteria filter, select the field row and double click on the ”Criteria” field.
Enter criteria by using operators and assigning a value.
Click the Show Values button to load data into the ”Values” list.
Click Ok.
The criteria will be inserted into the Query.
You can assign unlimited AND / OR criteria’s.
See also: Date Functions
See also: Parameter Queries
Once you’ve finished designing the Query save it by clicking the Save button.
Or you can go straight to the Report Designer.
Assign a name and the folder where to save the Object.
Optionally enter a comment and assign User Groups who will have access to this Object.
The Object will be accessible from the folder you saved it to.
To load an existing object select and double click it.
View data in Data Grid
The Data Grid lets you arrange and view your data just the way you need it.
It allows arranging columns, grouping on fields, sorting and filtering data.
Create or load a existing Query.
Click Data Grid on the menu bar.
Group on columns by clicking the "Group By" command on the Ribbon or drag a column to the Group area.
Sort columns by either clicking on the "Ascending" - "Descending" command on the menu bar or click on the column header.
By default DBxtra will show all columns from the underlying Query.
You can remove columns by dragging them away from the column heading bar.
To add columns click "Columns" on the menu bar and drag and drop selected columns to the column header bar.
To filter on a value select a record value.
Click Filter By on the menu bar or right click and select Filter By.
DBxtra .NET will filter the data accordingly.
You can turn the Filter On / Off by clicking the check box at the bottom of the Data Grid window.
You can quickly access all applied filters by clicking the selection box at the bottom of the Data Grid window.
To remove filters click the button Clear Filter on the menu bar.
You can assign functions to columns like SUM, MAX, MIN, COUNT and AVERAGE.
Select the column bottom and right click on it.
Select one of the available functions.
The final result will look like this:
When you open a Data Grid View it will show the "Initial View".
Once you change any grouping, sorting, filtering, etc. you can save this as a saved "Data Grid View". Any change to the Data Grid can be saved as a Data Grid View.
This offers you to have many different Data Grid Views for each Query or Report object and allows quick navigation between different saved Data Grid Views.
Save a Data Grid View by clicking Save on the menu.
Assign a name for the View.
Choose Set as Default if you want this to be View to be loaded when the Data Grid opens the next time.
If the Data Grid View has associated Drill Downs then optionally choose Also include Drill Downs.
You can define unlimited nested Drill Downs to your Data Grids.
Click Add on the menu bar.
Select an object as the detail for the Drill Down.
This can be either a Query or a Report object.
Select the Master and Detail key to join the Drill Down.
Click Add.
To add a nested Drill Down select the Drill Down and use the same procedure.
To remove a Drill Down select it and click Remove on the menu.
Create or load an existing Query or Report.
Click Design on the Report menu .
This will open the Visual Report Designer.
Click the Report Wizard button on the menu.
Follow step by step instructions.
Just drag and drop fields to a Report area (band).
Usually you will need to drop fields to the Detail band.
You can add Report groups by using the Group wizard.
Click the Insert Group button on the menu.
Select a field to group by and optionally select fields on which to add group totals.
Click Insert Group.
This will insert a new Group Header band into the Report.
If you chose to insert Group totals then it will also insert a Group Footer band with a total field.
To insert a Report total click the button Insert Totals on the menu bar.
Select fields to total on and click the button Insert Totals.
This will insert a total field into the Report Footer band.
You can reposition and re-size controls with drag & drop.
To align two or more controls select them and click one of the Align commands at the menu bar.
To assign a quick format click the Format button on the menu .
You might use the same formatting settings over and over in your Reports.
You can save a format as a style and apply to controls.
There is almost no limitation on formatting your Reports by adjusting values in the Property Grid.
You can preview your Report at any moment by clicking the Print Preview or HTML View button on the menu bar.
When finished designing your Report click the Save button on the menu.
Assign a name and the folder where to place the Report object.
Optionally enter a comment and assign User Groups who will have access to this object.
The object will be accessible from the folder you saved it to.
Charts are designed from within the Report Designer.
Select the band where to place the chart and click the Quick Chart button to design your first chart.
Select the chart type.
The quick chart wizard allows only selecting one of the most common chart types.
Select the Series button.
Assign the Data Source.
This can either be the Reports original data source or an added data source.
Assign X Axis.
Assign Data Series (Y Axis).
Select the Titles button.
Assign chart and X and Y titles.
Define Chart legend option.
Click Chart Preview.
Select the Palette and Style.
Click Finish.
Re-size the chart.
Select the chart and click either the Quick Chart or Advanced Chart button.
You can also adjust chart options in the Property Grid.
Read here about the DBxtra Desktop Viewer
Read here about DBxtra Report Web Service
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