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.dot template file structure (MS Word Report Writer)

The .dot templates are broken down into different sections. This document will try to explain not only how to view the format of the templates but also the function of each section.

This document uses the ClassList-Simple template as an example:

To edit this .dot template in word:

Basic Editing

  1. Open MS Word
  2. Click File and then Open
  3. Change the Files of type: to Document Template (*.dot)
  4. Browse for the template, select it and click Open

    The word document should look something like this in Print Layout view:

    ReportWriter

  5. If you would like to edit the text or add images just do so as you would a normal Word Document.

WARNING: You can edit the file by right clicking the file name in Windows Explorer and choosing Edit. Don't double click the template file as this will create a new .DOC file based on this template and not open the template for editing.

Advanced Editing

  1. Follow steps 1 - 4 above
  2. Click Tools and Options
  3. Select the view tab
  4. Tick the Hidden Text option under the Formatting marks header
  5. Right click on each Orange and blue section in turn and click Toggle Field Codes

    The word document should now look something like this in Print Layout view:

    ReportWriterToggled

  6. The Report Start section includes all the SQL information and should not be changed unless you have a full understanding of SQL and SchoolPRO.
  7. The Info and InfoWhere sections can be changed. These are the messages that appear when running the reports
  8. Each section of the report can then be broken down in to 3 parts:
    1. Group Header - This is the header to the Detail Section
    2. Detail Section - This is the section where the main data is displayed from SchoolPRO
    3. Group Footer - This is the footer to the Detail Section
  9. The ReportEnd merge field signifies the end of the report.
  10. The words in the triangle brackets << >> identify the merge fields.

    NOTE: Only those merge fields specified in the SQL statement in the Report Header can be entered on to the report.

In This Section

Switches (MS Word Report Writer)