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Defining the Report Page

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When you plan a report, you usually have an idea of what the page will look like. For example, you know the margins, the type of paper, and the layout you want. This topic describes setting the margins, the page orientation, and the height for the bands of the report page.

Setting the Margin, Paper Size, and Orientation

You can set the left margin, paper size, and orientation for your report, as well as, the column widths and space between columns for a multicolumn report. In this context, the word "columns" refers to the number of records that print across the page, not the number of fields from a single record. The Report Designer does not display these settings. It shows only the area within the margins that contains one record in a column on the page. Also, if your report has columns and you change the left margin, the width for the column will automatically change to accommodate the new margin.

If you change the paper size and orientation settings, make sure that the orientation is correct for the paper size you select. For example, if you select an envelope, the orientation should be set to Landscape.

To set the left margin

  1. From the File menu, choose Page Setup.

  2. To set the margin, enter a number for the margin in the Left margin box.

    The page image changes to display the new margin.

  3. To select a paper size, choose Print Setup.

  4. In the Print Setup dialog box, select a paper size from the Size list.

  5. To select paper orientation, choose an orientation in the Orientation area, and then choose OK.

  6. In the Page Setup dialog box, choose OK.

Defining the Page Header and Footer

The controls placed in the Page Header or Page Footer bands appear once on each page of the report. A report that has many pages should include the report name, page number, date, and labels (if appropriate) in a header or footer.

Defining the Detail Band

Typically, the controls placed in the Detail band print once for each record.

Adding Title and Summary Bands

The Title band holds information that prints once at the beginning of the report and the Summary band holds information that prints once at the end of the report. Both the title and the summary can be on their own page. Fields with totaling expressions become grand totals when placed in the Summary band.

To add a title or summary band

  1. From the Report menu, choose Title/Summary.
  2. Select the bands you want.
  3. If you want the band to appear on its own page, select New Page.
  4. Choose OK. The Report Designer shows the new bands.

See Also

Creating Reports and Labels | Adding Lines, Rectangles, and Circles, | Adding a Picture to a Report | Formatting Field Controls | Report Designer