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About web reports

Axiom web reports provide a fully browser-based reporting option for Axiom Software. Reports can be created and viewed entirely in the Web Client, without requiring any spreadsheet design and without requiring the Desktop Client (Excel Client or Windows Client). This greatly expands the available environments for report creation, since the only requirement is a supported browser.

The Report Designer is the tool used to create and configure web reports. Web reports are saved to the Reports Library just like other reports. Web reports use the AWR file type, and are distinguished from spreadsheet reports and Axiom form reports using a special icon.

Comparison to other report types

Axiom Software supports two primary options for web-based reporting—web reports and Axiom forms. Web reports are similar to Axiom forms and use many of the same components as building blocks, but are created and managed differently.

  • Axiom forms are created in the Desktop ClientGeneral term for using either the Excel Client or the Windows Client, both of which are installed to the user's desktop., using a source spreadsheet file as the basis for querying data and designing the form web page. Once the form has been created, end users can access it using just a browser—the Desktop Client is no longer required. The settings in the spreadsheet are used to render the form web page. Forms are very flexible and can support a wide variety of needs, but the setup and design requires a high level of Axiom Software knowledge and can be complicated.

  • Web reports are created in the Web Client browser using the Report Designer, and have no spreadsheet dependencies. The report setup is saved as an XML file, which is then used to render the report web page. Web reports support fewer options than forms, but are easier to create (though a basic knowledge of the system's data structures is still required). Web reports are intended to streamline and simplify the report creation process, so that reports can be created more quickly and require less training and technical requirements.

Axiom Software also supports a business intelligence reporting option. Currently, Axiom Intelligence reporting is only available in certain licensed products.

Web report creation

The web report creation process is template-driven. The first step of the Report Designer is to select a template, which is then copied to create the new report. The selected template determines the layout of the report and the available components in the report, such as data grids and labels. You can then configure the report components to display the desired text and data.

Axiom Software provides a set of standard templates for web report creation. If you have one or more installed products, those products may provide additional templates. You can also create custom templates for use in your own system.

Custom web report templates are created using Axiom forms. You can create an Axiom form that uses certain supported components, and save that form as a web report template. When you create web reports using the template, the file is converted to the XML web report format.

For more information, see Creating web reports and Creating custom templates for web reports.

Accessing web reports

End users can view web reports using the Web Client browser. In the Web Client, web reports can be accessed as follows:

  • Using the Report Designer page
  • Using the Navigation panel in the Web Client Task Bar
  • Using links within a form home page (or within other forms and web reports)

Web Reports are also visible in the Desktop ClientGeneral term for using either the Excel Client or the Windows Client, both of which are installed to the user's desktop. in the Reports Library. When a web report is launched from that location, it opens in the Web Client browser.

Just like other report files, you can set security for web reports at a folder or file level within the Reports Library, so that users only see the reports they need to see. Any data queries in the web report are automatically limited by the user's table and table type security filters.

For more information, see Viewing web reports.

Web report contents

Web reports can contain title text, hyperlinks, data grids, and KPIs. Using the default templates, reports look similar to the following examples:

Example report with frozen columns and paged data (Standard Template)

Example report with grouped data (Standard Template)

Example report with KPIs and data grid (KPI Template)

Web report users can review the data in the report and also do the following (depending on the report configuration):

  • Use built-in data grid tools such as the ability to sort the grid by any column, move between pages of data, and filter the displayed data in the grid by any column where filtering has been enabled
  • If the grid shows grouped data, expand and collapse sections of data in the grid
  • Use special grid features such as the ability to drill down rows of data or export grid data to a spreadsheet
  • Launch supporting information for a KPI by clicking the action button in the top right corner of a KPI box
  • Filter the report data on demand, using predefined refresh variables in the Filters panel