How To Create A New Report Library

You may want to load an alternate report library for different operators. This allows you to keep your report definition list small. Operators need only see the list of reports they need for completing their tasks.

Collect! creates the database files in the Collect\report folder for each new report library that you load. You can load a report library that has already been created, or you can create a brand new library and create or copy reports into the library.

We will step through the process of adding a new report library to the list of report libraries available through Select Report Library.

We will cover:

1. Loading a new empty report library
2. Loading a pre-existing report library

Creating A New Empty Report Library

Use this procedure to register a new empty report library with the SQL server. After that, you can open the new library and create new reports or copy into the library as needed.

1. Sign into Collect! as a user with Level 99 and stop at the Main Menu.
2. Select Print from the top menu bar and then select Customize Printing to view the sub-menu.
3. Select New Report Library. You will be prompted to enter a name for your new library. Maximum 8 CHARACTERS. Select OK to continue.
4. Collect! will let you know that you have successfully created a new library and have registered it with the SQL server. The database files will be created in the Collect\report folder with the same name that you see in this prompt, with the prefix "cvr_alt_" added. This is also the name that will be displayed in the choices for Select Report Library. Select OK to continue.

This process does not have a message that it completed. Once complete, the new report library that you created will already be selected. The default Printer Control Codes will have been loaded.

You can now create, copy, or import new reports.

Loading A Pre-Existing Report Library - Report File

If you have an existing Report File with the extension RPT, and you want to create a new Report Library, do the following:

1. Create a new empty Report Library using the steps above.
2. Import the RPT file using the process described in How To Import Reports

Loading A Pre-Existing Report Library - Attach Database

Use this procedure to register a pre-existing report library databases with the SQL server. After that, you can open the new library and use the reports in it, editing and creating new reports as needed.

WARNING: MDF and LDF files can be secured by the Operating System. If possible, we recommend restoring a SQL backup file.

1. Copy all the files from your pre-existing report library to the Collect\report folder.

The report library consists of several files named with an MDF and LDF extension. The database file name can be anything, but when attached to the database server, they need to be prefixed with "cvr_alt_"

2. Sign into the SQL Management Studio. Attach the database there. For more information, please refer to Microsoft documentation.
3. Now you can use Select Report Library to load this new library for use.
4. Rebuild your Printable Information through Print, Settings, Printable Information. Select the REBUILD button.

Once the library is selected, you can use Print, Reports and Letters to use the library, or you can open the Report Definition list, editing and creating new reports as needed.

Loading A Pre-Existing Report Library - Restore Database

Use this procedure to register a pre-existing report library databases with the SQL server. After that, you can open the new library and use the reports in it, editing and creating new reports as needed.

1. Sign into the SQL Management Studio. Restore the database there. For more information, please refer to Microsoft documentation. During the Restore, ensure that the database name is prefixed with "cvr_alt" or it won't appear in the list.

By default, Collect! will save the files in the SQL Server directory. When restoring the database, you can select where to relocate the files. We recommend the Collect\reports folder.

2. Now you can use Select Report Library to load this new library for use.
3. Rebuild your Printable Information through Print, Settings, Printable Information. Select the REBUILD button.

Once the library is selected, you can use Print, Reports and Letters to use the library, or you can open the Report Definition list, editing and creating new reports as needed.

Select Report Library

Loading a report library allows the operator to use a separate report definition list rather than the default report library currently loaded into the database. This enables you to customize report definition lists so that operators see only the information they need to perform their tasks. Uncluttered lists load faster and are easier to maintain.

To load an alternate report library,

1. From the Print menu, choose Customize Printing, then choose Select Report Library.
2. A Browse dialog will appear to allow the operator to choose from the report library files that are available as registered devices. These are the default libraries shipped with Collect! and any others you have created using the New Report Library function.
3. Choose Open and the highlighted Library will be loaded.

While this Library is loaded, Collect! will not use the default report library until this operator logs out or Select Report Library is performed again.

The operator will have full use of this report library including updating its definitions. Changes made to the library are saved as the operator makes the changes. Collect! does not make a backup of this file upon loading it.