Live headers

A live header is a header that changes based on the content of the group. If the data is subtotaled by region, for example, a live header would typically identify the region detailed in each group. Thus, the Arizona group would have a header identifying the group as Arizona data, the California group would have a header identifying the group as California data, and so on.

Note:    When creating a group, the program automatically inserts a group name field in the Group Header section unless you have toggled the option off using the Options command on the File Menu. The information that follows details how to manually insert such a section (if you do not have the program insert one automatically) and how to create different kinds of live headers for different needs.

Group name only

The easiest live header to create is one based on identifying the value of the group field.

To create a live header by group name only

1. On the Insert menu, click Database Field.
2. In the Field Explorer dialog box, click the plus sign to expand the Group Name Fields directory.
3. Double-click the Group Name field that matches the group you are working with and drag it into the Group Header section for that group.

   When you run the report, the group field value identifier will appear as the group header for each region group.

Group name with text

A more complex type of live header combines a field value and text. A typical group header of this kind for data broken down by region would be, "Sales for California" or "Customers in Postal Code 60606". Creating these headers involves three steps:

• Insert a text object in the Group Header section.
• Type in the text you want to appear.
• Enter the Group Name field in the text field where you want it to appear in the Group Header.

For example, if you want your header to read "Sales for" and then the name of the region in the current group (Sales for AZ, Sales for CA, and so forth), follow these steps:

To create a live header with group name using text

1. Click the Insert Text Object button on the Standard toolbar.
2. Place the object frame into the Group Header section for the group.
3. Type in the desired text with a space after it.
4. Click the Insert Fields button on the Standard toolbar.
5. In the Field Explorer dialog box, click the plus sign to expand the Group Name Fields directory.

6. Double-click the Group Name field that matches the group you are working with and drag it into the text object, immediately after the text and the space you entered.
7. Format the text object as you want it to appear.

When you run the report, the program will create a live header (with text) for each of your groups.

Live headers for groups based on a formula

When you create a group and use a formula field as a sort-and-group-by field, the program automatically creates a group name field based on the value returned by the formula.

For example, if you create this formula:

{customer.CUSTOMER NAME}[1]

and then group on the formula, the program will group your data based on the first letter in the Customer Name field.

To create a live group header for a group based on a formula, simply insert the group name field in the Group Header section.

When you run the report, the "A" group will have the letter "A" as a header, the "B" group will have the letter "B", and so on. For more information, see Grouping by the first letter of a company name and Grouping data in intervals.

To create a more descriptive header such as "Customers beginning with the letter B", see Group name with text.