VisiCON 98 VisiCAD 2 Custom Report Building

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(No Transcript)
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Samantha Murphy Stout
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TriTech Software Systems

• Ad Hoc VisiCAD 2 Reporting Through Microsoft
  Access 2

Presented By Todd Stout
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Agenda

• Whos here what do you know?
• VisiCAD Data Structure
• Starter.mdb
• Description
• Built in functionality
• Modifications
• Tips, Tricks, Cool Stuff to Know
• What would you like to focus on?

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Custom Reporting
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VisiCAD 2 General Structure
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Start_98.mdb

• Microsoft Access database (mdb) file
• Uses little or no code
• Use as a base for your own development or just to
  learn
• Nothing is sacred in Starter, so experiment and
  have fun!

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Starter Tables

• Database Extra Secondary are attached tables
• tblLocalInfo is used to store your organizations
  name for reports, etc.
• Temporary tables are used by Starter are often
  replaced

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Starter Queries

• Extract queries used to mine data from comments
• Export queries
• Filter queries build in order to give you the
  data you want in a fairly efficient way
• Utility queries
• Can use Parameter queries

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Starter Forms

• Forms are cool
• Use forms to
• select criteria
• gather user input
• inform the user
• display data
• Can be interim step or end result

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Starter Reports

• Reports can be about anything you want
• Simple or complex lists
• Summaries
• Charts or graphs
• Any combination
• Can be recycled
• Multiple reports from one
• Full or partial template
• Can be exported, etc.

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Starter Macros

• Makes programming point-and-click easy
• Autoexec macro runs automatically at startup
• Used to provide action when the user clicks a
  button or takes action
• Used to make multiple steps seem like a single
  step to the user

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Starter Modules

• Modules are used to store Access Basic code
• Extremely powerful and flexible
• Faster than macros
• Harder to learn(for most humans)
• Not used in Starter.mdb

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Using Starter.mdb

• Typically, youll store and work with Starter on
  your local PC
• When developing Starter.mdb consider keeping a
  good copy in a safe place
• Consider changing the name to keep your work
  versioned

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Starting Starter

• This Update Lists screen is the second thing
  you see
• It prompts you to consider if you want to update
  your criteria lists
• Since this could take a long time, only update
  when you believe new criteria have been added to
  your data

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Be Courteous

• If you choose to update your lists, this is the
  next screen
• When designing your own reporting tool, remember
  to keep the user informed

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The Big Show

• Use the left side of this form to enter your
  selection criteria
• Enter your organizations name in the box in the
  upper-right
• Use the command buttons to run reports, search,
  print tips, export data, get help

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Sample Report
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Search for Text

• Use this feature to search for specific text
  within certain fields
• resp_nmbr, resp_addr, resp_alt, map_info,
  unit_name, pt_name, comments, Disposition_Desc,
  medic_sr, medic_ptnr delay_resn
• Change the query if needed

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Text Search Results Screen
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Data Exporting

• Use this feature to move data to another system
• SneakerNet
• Requires target database(s)
• For reporting by other groups without access to
  VisiCAD (QI, etc.)
• For rapid development

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Starter Modifications

• Modify existing queries reports in place
• Titles, hard-code criteria (in queries and
  reports), logo, etc.
• Copy queries and reports, modify and add to
  frmFilters while maintaining a consistent
  approach
• Develop/import your own stuff and add to
  frmFilters
• Add another form with fewer selection criteria
  and buttons for each report, daily weekly
  reports, or all reports
• Change anything everything to meet your needs!

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Tips Tricks

• Read the Tech Tips
• Backup your reporting mdb before making
  modifications
• Backup individual queries, forms, etc. during
  development
• Re-use your work
• Use Wizards

• Never break a query mid-process
• Learn develop on a small data set
• Plan on writing 5-10 queries for every report you
  develop
• Plan your final output before you touch your
  computer

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More Tips Tricks

• Use the Database Structure Help File
• Use the Access help files and samples
• Use a standard naming convention names that
  make sense to others
• Use macros to print multiple reports

• Use Find Replace (or similar tool
• Document your work
• Use the Windows System Agent to automatically run
  reports, macros, etc. from batch files
• Consider moving to Access 95 or 97

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Database Structure Help File
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Run reports while you sleep
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Find Replace Utility
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How to get Find Replace
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VisiCAD 2 Report Building

• Sign up to receive your own copy of Start_98.mdb
• Please share your ideas and work with other
  VisiCAD users
• Thanks for your time and interest