> #### How to format a report parameter value

> This procedure assumes that you already created at least one report parameter in your report design.

> 1 | In Data Explorer, expand Report Parameters, then choose the report parameter to edit. Edit Parameter displays the current property settings for the selected report parameter.

> 2 | In Format as, choose Change. Change is not available for report parameters of Boolean type. Format Builder appears. Its contents differ, depending on the data type of the report parameter. Figure 12‑17 shows Format Builder for string data.

> Figure 12‑17 | Format Builder for string data

> 3 | Specify the format to use. The format choices that are available vary according to the data type of the parameter.

> 1 | In Format as, choose one of the predefined formats, or choose Custom to define your own format pattern.

> Additional fields may appear, depending on the data type and format that you selected. A sample formatted value appears in Preview with format. Figure 12‑18 shows the additional fields that are available for a report parameter of decimal type when Currency format is selected.

> Figure 12‑18 | Format Builder for currency data

> 2 | Type or select values for any additional fields that are available for that parameter data type and format.

> 3 | When you finish specifying the format, choose OK. Edit Parameter appears. Format shows the format that you specified.

> #### How to create a parameter group

> 1 | In Data Explorer, right-click Report Parameters, and choose New Parameter Group. New Parameter Group appears.

> 2 | In Name, specify a unique name for this parameter group.

> 3 | In Display Name, specify the name that the Enter Parameters dialog displays when it prompts a user for parameter values.

> Figure 12‑19 shows an example.

> Figure 12‑19 | Create a display name for a parameter group

> 4 | Choose OK. BIRT Report Designer creates the new parameter group and displays it in Report Parameters in Data Explorer, as shown in Figure 12‑20.

> Figure 12‑20 | New parameter group in Data Explorer

> 5 | Add report parameters to the parameter group. You can add parameters to a parameter group in two ways:

> n | Move an existing parameter to the parameter group. From the report parameters list in Data Explorer, drag an existing parameter, and drop it in the parameter group.

> n | Create a new parameter in the parameter group. In Report Parameters, right-click the parameter group name, and choose New Parameter.

> Figure 12‑21 shows Data Explorer after you move three report parameters to a parameter group called Office_Parameters.

> Figure 12‑21 | Parameter group containing three parameters

> Figure 12‑22 shows the Enter Parameters dialog, which displays the new parameter group and its three report parameters.

> Figure 12‑22 | Office Information parameter group on Enter Parameters

> Enter Parameters displays parameter groups and report parameters in the order in which they appear in the report parameters list. To display the groups or report parameters in a different order, change the order in Data Explorer.

> #### How to create cascading parameters that use a single data set

> 1 | In Data Explorer, right-click Report Parameters, and choose New Cascading Parameter.

> New Cascading Parameter appears, as shown in Figure 12‑23.

> Figure 12‑23 | New Cascading Single Data Set Parameter

> 2 | On New Cascading Parameter, in Cascading Parameter Name, you can specify a different name. The name that you specify appears only in the list of report parameters in Data Explorer.

> 3 | For Prompt text, specify the name for the parameter group that appears in the Enter Parameters dialog.

> 4 | Select Single Data Set.

> 5 | Create the report parameters for this group of cascading parameters.

> 1 | In Parameters, choose Add. On Add Cascading Parameter, specify the following values:

> 1 | In Name, type the parameter name.

> 2 | In Data Set, select the data set that returns the values for populating all the parameter lists.

> 3 | In Value, select the field that contains the values that you want to pass to the SQL query or filter condition at run time.

> 4 | In Display Text, optionally select a field that contains the values that you want to display to the user. For example, the values to pass to the SQL query or filter condition are from the productcode field, but you want to display values from the productname field to the user.

> 5 | Choose OK.

> 2 | In Properties, set the other properties for this report parameter, including the prompt text, display type, and default value.

> 3 | To create the next report parameter, choose Add, and follow the same steps until you set up all levels of the cascading parameter group. Figure 12‑24 shows sample values in New Cascading Parameter.

> Figure 12‑24 | A cascading parameter that uses a single data set

> 6 | When you finish creating all the report parameters in the group, choose OK. The cascading parameters appear in Report Parameters in Data Explorer.

(c) Copyright Actuate Corporation 2009