Layout Tool

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. Beneath each option is an example image that works off of the assumed incoming data:
  • Record ID Group Date
    1 A 1/15
    2 B 1/16
    3 A 1/17
    • 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.

Use the following options to set the Layout Configuration.

  • 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.
  • Layout Height: Specify the height of the layout. The height can be either Automatic or Fixed and set in inches.
  • Fixed layout width or height: expected behavior

    If Default Distance Units is set to kilometers, this field is calculated in centimeters. See Localization.

  • 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.
  • If the layout orientation is vertical, set the Per Row Configuration. If the layout orientation is horizontal, set the Per Column Configuration.
    • 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.
      • 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.
      • Fixed width or height: expected behavior

        If Default Distance Units is set to kilometers, this field is calculated in centimeters. See Localization.

      • 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.