Formatting concepts

This section explains how to format a report. Formatting refers to changes you can make to the layout and design of a report, as well as the appearance of text, objects, or entire report sections.

You can use formatting to do many things, including:

• dividing sections of a report
• calling attention to certain data
• changing the presentation of dates, numbers, Boolean values, currency values, and text strings
• hiding unwanted sections
• giving the report a professional appearance.

The following topics describe the types of formatting you can do with Seagate Crystal Reports, giving step-by-step instructions for performing a variety of formatting tasks.

Note:    There are many date formats you can choose to use on an English report, but if you send the report to a Japanese system, there may be some formatting irregularities. Not all English date formats are viewable on a Japanese system, and the same is true going from Japanese to English. For instance, abbreviated English months do not appear on a Japanese system and Japanese eras in short format do not appear on an English system.