Developing a prototype on paper

While a paper prototype is useful regardless of your level of expertise with Seagate Crystal Reports, it is particularly valuable when you are first learning the program. With the paper prototype in hand, you can put your full effort into learning and using the commands, rather than into trying to design and learn at the same time.

To design a paper prototype

1. Get the same size paper you will be using for the finished report.
2. Position the title and other descriptive header information, using boxes or lines to represent report elements.
3. Position the footer information.
4. Review the page layout for balance.
5. Look at the information you intend to include in the body of the report.
   • Count the number of fields being used and estimate the appropriate spacing between fields.
   • Use rectangles to pencil in the fields within the estimated spacing.
   • Change the spacing if you need to.
   • Decide on a logical sequence for presenting the data in the body of the report.
   • Label the fields to indicate that sequence.
6. Use small boxes to indicate group values and totals.
7. Place random flags in the column where you want flags to appear.
8. Darken any elements you want highlighted to make them stand out from the rest of the prototype.
9. Review the finished product for layout and balance, and make changes as needed.