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AX1194

Using grids in Axiom forms

Axiom forms support two different types of grids:

• The Formatted Grid component displays data from the source spreadsheet, and supports various formatting and user input features.
• The Data Grid component queries data directly from the database, and displays it in a standardized data grid.

Generally speaking, Data Grid components should be used to display reporting data, and Formatted Grid components should be used to gather data inputs. Formatted Grid components can also be used to display reporting data, in cases where advanced query structures or complex formatting is needed.

In the Form Designer, both components are available in the Form Controls section along the left-hand side of the screen.

Formatted Grid component

The Formatted Grid component provides the ability to display information in a formatted grid structure within an Axiom form. The contents to be displayed in the grid are defined by placing a Grid data source in a sheet. You then populate the rows and columns of the data source with the information that you want to display in the grid. In addition to displaying text and numbers, special format tags can be used in the grid in order to display controls such as text boxes, combo boxes, and buttons within the grid cells.

Each Formatted Grid component in a form can look and act very differently depending on the format style used (spreadsheet or thematic), and depending on the features used within the grid.

Formatted Grid components can be used in many different ways to support data inputs and other interactivity. For example, grids can be used as follows:

• As selector tools, to change the form in some way based on the currently selected row in the grid.
• As input grids, with controls such as text boxes, check boxes, and drop-down lists all presented directly within the cells of the grid.
• As navigation tools, to present lists of hyperlinks to other files and forms.

Formatted Grid components also support special features, such as a full symbol library for use in grid cells, the ability to display sparkline charts and bullet charts inline with data, and the ability to edit grid data in a spreadsheet interface.

Data Grid component

The Data Grid component provides the ability to display data from the database in a standardized grid within an Axiom form. The columns to be displayed in the grid are defined by placing a DataGridColumns data source in a sheet. When the grid is rendered in the Axiom form, it queries data from the database based on the component settings and the columns listed in the data source. This direct database query is much more efficient than reading data from the source spreadsheet, and provides better report performance as compared to a Formatted Grid component.

Data Grid components use a standard format that provides a consistent user experience across all forms where it is used. The grid provides built-in tools for paging, filtering, sorting, and drilling data. Data can also be displayed in expandable/collapsible groupings.

Although Data Grid components are primarily for data display, they do support some interactivity. Icons can be displayed in the grid and can optionally be used to trigger a command or open a designated URL. Data grids can also be used as selector tools, to change the form in some way based on the currently selected row in the grid.