Input and output variables

You can use a jump action, for example, to link two reports. When a user clicks a link in one report, the second report opens. If the linked reports both contain combo boxes, you can use input and output variables to ensure that a selection made in one report is automatically selected in the other.

Note: If you are designing reports for use in dashboards, you must use report parameters in addition to input and output variables.

To use Input and Output variables to pass values between combo boxes:

  1. Create two reports, each with a combo box containing, for example, a Time or Date list.
  2. In Design mode, double-click the combo box in one of the reports.
    The Format Listview dialog box is displayed.
  3. Select Output Variable and select the appropriate global variable from the drop-down list.
    If no suitable variable exists, create one. For example, gv_Time.
  4. In the second report, select Input Variable in the Format Listview dialog box.
  5. Select the same global variable as in the first report.
    The date selected in the combo box of the first report is automatically selected if you open or jump to the second report. To pass values from and to both reports, specify both Input and Output variables in both reports.
  6. If the reports will be used in a dashboard, add report parameters.