This allows users to make changes to the external CSS file and reload them into the
BIRT report without having to re-import.
Templates
Templates are pre-designed report layouts. We have been using Templates
throughout the entire book, when we create the Blank report. We will expand out
and take a look at using Templates to set up for the detail reports we will build in the
next chapter.
Building a Report from a Template
Templates, for the most part, take the nasty work out of having to re-create the same
layout over and over again. For instance, in this book, we have constantly dragged
over a single Data Set into the Report Designer to create a single listing report. With
Templates, we could either use the existing, canned Listing Report Template or build
our own and save the effort for more complex tasks. It's as simple as creating a new
report, using a Template, and following the Cheat Sheets.
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In this example, we are going to use a Grouped Listing Report Template to create a
simple Employee Sales Detail Report that we will use as a target for a Drill-Down
report, which will be explained in the next chapter.
1. Create a new report called Employee Sales Details Report.rptdesign. In the
New Report Template screen, choose Grouped Listing Report.
2. When the Report Design opens, the Cheat Sheet is open on the right-hand
side.
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