User-generated reports..can it be done?

[apartain]

I have been asked to set a database up so that the users can choose which fields they want to include in reports. Is this possible? Keep in mind the end-users know nothing about Access and would need it all very automated.

The only thoughts I have on the issue would be to create a form with all of the possible fields and a check-box for the user to select the fields. Then I would set the value of the Visible property for the fields in the report accordingly, but the formatting of that report seems like it would be messy.

Thanks

[nico5038]

Can be done with a lot of code for the report, but I would just dynamically create a SELECT query and open that to them and/or offer them the possibility to save that in an excel spreadsheet.

Idea ?

Nic;o)

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[ADezii]

I have been asked to set a database up so that the users can choose which fields they want to include in reports. Is this possible? Keep in mind the end-users know nothing about Access and would need it all very automated.

The only thoughts I have on the issue would be to create a form with all of the possible fields and a check-box for the user to select the fields. Then I would set the value of the Visible property for the fields in the report accordingly, but the formatting of that report seems like it would be messy.

Thanks

It can be done but would involve creating a Custom Wizard which would be fairly complex to say the least. As far as your alternative, you are right, the formatting of the Report would be messy. You could also dynamically build a SQL statement from User selected Fields and use that as the Record Source for the Report but then you would also have to program the Control Sources for the Bound Controls, Labels, etc. and that would really be complex. In short, there seems to be no easy solution for what you would like to accomplish.

[NeoPa]

I have been asked to set a database up so that the users can choose which fields they want to include in reports. Is this possible? Keep in mind the end-users know nothing about Access and would need it all very automated.

The only thoughts I have on the issue would be to create a form with all of the possible fields and a check-box for the user to select the fields. Then I would set the value of the Visible property for the fields in the report accordingly, but the formatting of that report seems like it would be messy.

Thanks

I have a report that works on similar but very restricted lines.
I can make assumptions about the layout from which fields are to be shown and I know I can fit them onto the line of the report. Doing it freeform is almost certainly a bridge too far.