Hyperblocks

Overview

A hyperblock is an object used to display list elements in a report.

By default, hyperblocks consist of a key output cell and a value cell. The key output cell contains the reference to the list on which the hyperblock is based. For relational lists, the key output cell contains the first column of the relational data.

The value cell is blank and can be expanded horizontally and vertically by dragging its edges. You create formulas in the value cell to return data.

Unlike other list objects, such as combo boxes, a hyperblock is displayed only in Design mode. In View mode, the value cell is copied once for every element of the list. Every element is displayed. If the value cell contains a formula, a value is calculated for each list element and displayed. Although the hyperblock itself is not displayed in View mode, you can apply a border to a hyperblock. In View mode, the border is displayed around each element and value.

Hyperblocks can be overlapped so that they share the same value cell. In View Mode, the lists on which the hyperblocks are based form the axes of the report.

You can also nest hyperblocks so that one hyperblock completely encloses one or more other hyperblocks.

Multiple output cells

You can create additional output cells, each with its own settings. A use of multiple output cells is to display multiple columns from a relational data source without using separate RDB formulas.

Hyperblocks and global and local lists

Hyperblocks can contain local or global lists. Changes to the definition of a local list only affect the report in which the list is used. Changes to global lists affect all reports in which the list is used.

The lists in the Database Structure are global lists. When they are dragged onto the worksheet to create a hyperblock, they are copied into local lists. To link a hyperblock to a global list, hold down the <Ctrl> key whilst dragging.

When you use the Create Hyperblock dialog to create a hyperblock, you can choose whether the list is local or global.

Dual output of hyperblocks

A hyperblock displays list elements. In the Format Hyperblock dialog box you use these options to specify how the elements are displayed.

• Unique name
• Caption
• Attribute
• User-defined: Opens the Edit Formula dialog box
• Special format string: Opens the Special Format String dialog box

The unique name is the name of an element created by the ODBO provider and is required by formulas. But, it is often more convenient to work with captions . So, Caption is selected by default when you create a hyperblock.

The unique name and caption options can also be specified by using a text format in the key output cell. Right-click the key output cell and select Format Cells. By default, the category on the Number Format tab is Text and "~" is selected as the format. Change this to "@" to display the unique names.

If a formula returns a unique name, but you want to display the caption, use the "~" text format in the cell containing the formula.

Formatting the contents of the hyperblock

You can format the contents of the value cell in the hyperblock in the same way as you format other cells.

Level-specific formatting of the key output cell

You can assign different formats to the key output cell and to multiple output cells. For example, you can apply different formats to the elements at different levels of a hierarchy.

Paging

Hyperblocks have Page Size and Current Page properties which you can use to display long lists over multiple pages.