The Layout tool arranges two or more reporting snippets to output as a report via the Render tool. The Layout tool organizes snippets horizontally or vertically, sets the width and height of columns and rows, and adds borders and separators.
Use a Join Multiple tool to join all report snippets together before adding a Layout tool.
Configure the tool
Layout Mode: Select a method for grouping records together.
Each Individual Record: Lays out all the individual reporting snippets.
Each Group of Records: Lays out each group of records for batch reporting. A report is generated for each group.
Group By: Select the fields to group by.
All Records Combined: Combines all records from one data field/reporting snippet.
Include Source Fields in Output: Select this option to use the fields in a downstream tool. Deselect this option to create a report.
Orientation: Specify if the reporting snippets should be laid out horizontally or vertically. With vertical orientation, these additional options are available:
Vertical with Section Breaks: Creates a section break, which varies based on the report format, when a Section Name is specified.
For .xls and .xlsx, a section break is equivalent to a new sheet within a workbook.
For .pdf, .doc, .docx, and .rft, a section break is equivalent to a new page.
For .html and .pcxml, a section break is not created.
Vertical Merge Contents to Line up Table Columns: Ensures all table snippets in the layout align correctly.
Layout Width: Select the width of the layout.
Automatic: Sets the minimum width for the data contained within a snippet to display.
Percentage: Sets the percentage of the page for the data to be displayed, where 100% is the entire width of the page.
Fixed: Sets the width of the data in inches.
If Default Distance Units is set to kilometers, this field is calculated in millimeters. See User Settings.
Layout Height: Specify the height of the layout. The height can be either Automatic or Fixed and set in inches.
If Default Distance Units is set to kilometers, this field is calculated in millimeters. See User Settings.
Border: Select this option to add a border, select the color of the border, and indicate the border size in pixels.
Separator: Select this option to add a separator between records, select the color of the separator, and indicate the size in pixels.
Cell Padding: Specify the padding in pixels to be added around each reporting snippet.
Per Column/Row Configuration: If the layout orientation is vertical, configure the rows and if the layout orientation is horizontal, configure the columns.
Select the snippets to include in the layout.
Click a snippet and use the up and down arrows to change the order the snippets display in the report.
Click a snippet to configure the following attributes:
Width: If the orientation for the layout is Horizontal, select Automatic, Percentage or Fixed, set in inches, for the width of the snippet within a row.
If Default Distance Units is set to kilometers, this field is calculated in millimeters. See User Settings.
Height: If the orientation for the layout is Vertical with a fixed height, select Automatic, Percentage, or Fixed, set in inches, for the height of the snippet within a column.
If Default Distance Units is set to kilometers, this field is calculated in millimeters. See User Settings.
Alignment (V): Select the vertical alignment of top, middle, or bottom.
Alignment (H): Select the horizontal alignment of left, center, or right.
Horizontal alignment for text snippets must be configured within the Text tool.
Fill Color: Select the fill color for the snippet.
Section Name: If the orientation of the layout is Vertical with Section Breaks, select the field to use as the Section Name.
For .xlsx, the Section Name is used as the Excel worksheet name.
For .pdf, the Section Name is used as bookmarks, which act as links to that part of the .pdf file.
For .doc, .docx, and .rtf the Section Names are used for bookmarks.
For .pptx, .png, and .html files Section Names are not used.
Layout Tool
Examples of Layout modes
