While
we will not go into cosmetics with the report to any great extent in this
session, we can certainly add labeling and other items, as need dictates
in our own environment. The focus in this article is simply to demonstrate the
functionality. We will add a little color, however, to set off the end results
a bit, and to enhance visual recognition of what we have accomplished.
48.
Within the
nested matrix, click the upper left corner textbox.
49.
Click the gray
column heading above the upper left corner textbox, to select the
column within which it resides (ensuring that the column is
within the nested matrix, not the parent matrix),
as shown in Illustration 41.
50.
In the Properties
window for the matrix column, which appears under Solution
Explorer, assign a BackgroundColor of Olive, using the color
palate provided via dropdown selector.
51.
In like
manner, assign a font Color (whose setting is just above Font in
the Properties window) of Yellow, as depicted in Illustration 42.
52.
Click the two gray
row headings beside the upper left corner textbox of the nested
matrix, to select the two top rows within which the corner textbox
resides (ensuring that the rows are within the nested matrix,
not the parent matrix), as shown in Illustration 43.
53.
In the Properties
window for the matrix row, which appears under Solution Explorer,
assign a BackgroundColor of Olive, as we did for the matrix
column earlier.
54.
Assign a font Color
of Yellow, again as we did for the matrix column earlier.
55.
Holding down
the Shift key, select each of the three data fields within the
nested matrix.
56.
In the Properties
window, select a BackgroundColor of Pale GoldenRod.
57.
Select a Border
Color of Olive.
58.
Select a Border
Style of Solid.
59.
Select a font
Color of Dark Olive Green.
The Properties
window appears, with our setting modifications, as depicted in Illustration
44.
Illustration 44: Properties
Window Settings for the Data Fields
60.
Click a point
outside the nested matrix data region.
We
note that the textbox within the parent matrix, which we have
chosen to house our column label expression, still has a transparent background
color. Let's handle that, as well as getting started with some external
bordering.
61.
Select the textbox
containing the column label expression within the parent matrix,
by clicking within it.
62.
In the Properties
window for the textbox, assign a BackgroundColor of Olive,
using the color palate provided via dropdown selector.
63.
Assign a BorderColor
of DarkOliveGreen
64.
Expand the BorderStyle
setting, by clicking the "+" sign to its immediate left.
65.
Select Solid
as the setting within the following border definitions:
66.
Type the
following into the BorderWidth setting:
5pt
67.
Assign a font Color
of Yellow.
The
textbox and associated Properties window appear, with our input, as
shown in Illustration 45.
Illustration 45:
Assigning Textbox Properties
68.
Click the left
upper textbox in the nested matrix below the textbox
containing the column label expression, to select the nested matrix,
once again.
69.
Assign a BorderColor
of DarkOliveGreen.
70.
Expand the BorderStyle
setting, by clicking the "+" sign to its immediate left.
71.
Select Solid
as the setting within the following border definitions:
72.
Type the
following into the BorderWidth setting:
5pt
The
textbox and associated Properties window appear, with our input, as
depicted in Illustration 46.
Illustration 46:
Assigning Textbox Properties
73.
Rolling the
mouse over the canvas edges until the double-headed arrow cursor ("ß->") appears, "grab" each of the right and
bottom edges and adjust the canvas to more closely fit the combined data
region, as shown in Illustration 47.
Illustration 47: "Tightening
Up the Canvas"
Let's
make one more adjustment to the nested matrix to finish up our
procedure. We can remove the column group in the nested matrix,
because the same group in the parent matrix will perform the same
function – to group on Sales Territory Groups. While leaving the
original groups in place makes sense for a standard matrix, and,
indeed, appears to allow us to achieve the same results, any redundant grouping
within the report will mean at least some deterioration in performance, among
other potentially undesirable report traits. (In other situations, it might
make sense to leave the original group alone – we simply do not need it
here).
74.
Select the nested
matrix once again, ensuring that the nested matrix has the focus.
75.
Right-click
the upper left corner of the matrix.
76.
Select Properties
from the context menu that appears, once again.
77.
Click the Groups
tab on the Matrix Properties dialog, when it appears.
78.
Click the Group
item appearing in the Columns list box, just above the [Static Group]
column.
79.
Click the Delete
button to remove the original Group item, as shown in Illustration 48.
Illustration 48: Deleting
the Column Group Entry ...
80.
Click OK
to accept changes, and to dismiss the Matrix Properties dialog.
We have
completed the basic structural changes needed to enable our report to meet the
expressed need for presenting independent matrices, based upon ad hoc Territory
Group selection. We will conclude our article with the next section, where
we will verify that our handiwork meets the business requirements of the
information consumers.
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