Graphical query tool

This code is used to identify a request.

Use this field to assign a description to each record.

This title, which describes the record, is used in some screens or records when there is not enough space to display the long title.

An activity code is used to:

• Make an element optional in the dictionary if the value associated with the activity code is null

• Identify the specific/custom elements if they are marked with a code starting with X, Y, or Z

Select this checkbox to activate the current record.

Inactive records keep their content and configuration but cannot be used by recalling their code:

• On other records such as documents and settings
• On mass processes

Authorizations for a given function can restrict the creation of an active record. In this case, the checkbox is disabled by default. It can only be modified by an authorized user or through a signature workflow.

The query creation field is comprised of a floating pallet, a design area for the template and another area to place the selected fields.

Floating pallet

It contains the following buttons:

• Table: Opens a selection list to add a table.
• Expression: Opens the formula wizard in order to add an expression.
• Erase: Reinitializes the query.
• Codes: Checkbox to display the codes of the fields, in addition to the descriptions.

Design area for the template

The tables

The added tables are represented with their joins in this design area.

To add a table, click on the "Table" button of the floating pallet.

The possible actions on a table are:

• Deletion by clicking on the cross in the upper right corner of the table. Warning, a table can only be deleted if all its links have been deleted and all its fields have been removed from the area where said fields have been placed.
  
  
• Decrease/Increase via right-click on the button located to the left of the cross.
  
   
• Moving using the title bar or the lower bar.
• Resizing of the table by means of the grip button in the lower right hand corner of said table.
  
  

Joins

The joins that have not been created automatically can be created by drag-and-drop from the source table field to the target table field. A left outer join is then created.

Clicking on a join displays a menu used to change the join type (left outer or inner join) or delete it.

Background

A drag-and-drop action to a free space in the design area makes it possible to reposition this space. Double-clicking is used to reposition the design area with respect to its origin.

Selected field location area

The area where the selected fields are located is used to:

• View the fields in the form of thumbnails,
• Modify the order and properties of these thumbnails (sort, cumulation, ranges, visibility),
• Manage the expressions,
• Manage the query breaks.

Add a field

To add a table field, it is necessary to double-click on it or to perform a drag-and-drop action to the selected field location area.

Add an expression

To add an expression, it is necessary to click on the "Expression" button of the floating pallet.

Edit an expression

Click on the description of the expression to display the window of its properties.

Modify the properties of a thumbnail

Click on the icons to modify the values of the properties. A faded display specifies a negative value (for instance: not sorted).

 

Meaning of the icons from left to right: Visible, sort, cumulation, range entry

Delete a thumbnail

Click on the cross in the upper right hand corner of the thumbnail.

Move a thumbnail

Click on the grip in the upper part of the thumbnail and move it without releasing pressure on the mouse button, then release on required position. Thumbnails can only be moved on a similar level.

Create a break level (group)

Click on the thumbnail grip, a menu appears with different descriptions. Select "Create a group" to put the thumbnail at the top of a new group.

Move a thumbnail to an existing break level

Click on the thumbnail grip, a menu appears with different descriptions. Select "Group N" where N represents the group level, to move the thumbnail to the bottom of the selected level.

Define the number of logical lines displayed per page in the inquiry screen generated by the query designer.

If the specified number exceeds the available physical display space, a vertical scroll bar appears on the right side of the grid.

Navigation buttons at the top of the screen allow you to move between logical pages (First, Previous, Next, Last).

Specify the maximum number of lines to return.

This corresponds to the query parameter maxrows, which stops the search once the specified number of rows meeting the conditions is found in the database.

These rows are then sorted, but the database does not guarantee that the retrieved rows are the first N in the final sort order.

This parameter is an optimization to reduce database load.

Use this field to fix the first X columns of a grid when horizontal paging is enabled.

Specify the maximum execution time for the search in seconds. If this time limit is reached, the search stops automatically.

This helps avoid long wait times, especially when setting up a new query.

Define the report code associated with the File / List function from the query inquiry.

If no report code is specified, the ALISTE report is used, which applies a standard page format.

You can duplicate this generic report and adjust the page format to create a custom report tailored to the inquiry.

The report code entered here can also be linked to a set of print codes using the dedicated function.

You can enter selection criteria, which are logical expressions applied to table fields. These expressions can include constants, functions, and operators.

Only the rows that satisfy these conditions will be extracted from the table.

To assist in writing these expressions, a formula editor is provided, making it easier to construct and validate complex criteria.

Use this field to define links that are not specified in the dictionary or that should take priority.

The link structure must match the key of the target table and include as many fields (separated by semicolons) as there are key parts.

Syntax:

[F:ABV1]CLE=expression1 ; expression2..., where:

• [F:ABV1]CLE is the key of the linked table.

  • Right-click to access the table selection window (Choose a table), which lists all tables from the first tab.

  • After selecting a table, the first index is displayed. To use another index, right-click and select Choose an index.

• expression1, expression2 represent the expressions used to give values to the various fields of the previously defined key.

  • If the key has one part, only one expression is needed. Otherwise, separate expressions with semicolons.

  • Use Choose a field to insert values from related tables.

  • Constant values can also be used for key parts.

From the database perspective, this syntax defines left outer joins. To create a strict join (which can improve performance), add a tilde (~) before the key:

[F:ABV1]CLE=expression1 ; expression2...

This field controls how the query behaves in inquiry mode. There are three possible modes:

• Normal: The result is displayed only if the user has already executed the query. If this option is not checked, each user who runs the query generates their own dataset, which is not visible to others.

• Shared: The result of a query executed by one user can be viewed by other users. This is useful for large queries, as it allows multiple users to access the same data without re-executing the query.

  Only one user should run the query. Others should have inquiry access. For very large queries, run in batch mode using the batch task code CALALH.

• Recalculated: The result is never displayed automatically. You need to click Refresh or enter criteria to reload data. This mode is useful when data becomes obsolete quickly, avoiding unnecessary reloads.

Makes a classification criterion available for requests.

Defines access control for the current record and query execution.

• Record access: If this field is populated, only users with the specified access code and the appropriate rights can:

  • Read the record (requires read rights)

  • Modify the record (requires write rights)

• Execution rights: Determines who can execute the query, either by refreshing it or by changing parameters and re-running it.

This field determines the authorization filters applied when building the query. These filters are by site, by role, and by access code.

Filtering principles:

• The object code determines which Access code and site Code fields the filter applies to.

• The filter is then applied based on the authorized sites and access rights assigned to the user for object management.

• Similarly, role-based filters defined by the object code are also applied.

The table on which the filters are applied must be included in the generated query. This refers to the table containing:

• The Access code field

• The Site code field

• If applicable, the field corresponding to the roles assigned to the user

This table is not necessarily the main table in the query.

Example: A query on document lines can still be filtered based on authorizations defined in the document header table.

This field links query access authorizations to the permissions granted for the associated function.

When a user opens a query, the system checks whether they are authorized to use the linked function. This is done for at least one site, if the function’s authorization is site-based. This check is performed only when the query is not shared.

If the query is shared, the permissions of the person who executed the query apply and are inherited by all users who have viewing rights. Therefore, extra caution is required when defining authorizations for shared queries, especially when they involve sensitive data. These permissions are managed using the access code available in this tab.

This indicator defines how data will be displayed on the screen. The available display modes are as follows:

• Character:  Data is displayed exclusively in a grid format.
• Character or Graph: Data can be displayed either as a grid or as a graph. You can select the position in the Default display field.
• Character and Graph:Data is displayed in both grid and graph formats simultaneously. You can define the graph’s position relative to the grid in the Graphical position field.
• Graph: Data is displayed exclusively in graphical format.

This setting defines how the graphical representation is positioned relative to the grid when the data display mode allows both formats.

• If the representation is Character or Graph, select the table or graph display.
• If the representation is Character and Graph, define the position of the graph relative to the data grid.

You can use this fieldwhen the grid contains multiple numeric values that can be displayed graphically. It supports two options:

• Single graph: Displays one column of values at a time, with a selector to choose the column.
• Multi-graph: Displays all columns together, combined according to the setting defined in the Representation parameter.

When multiple series are displayed in a graph, provided they share the same presentation style and are not of the sector type, you can define how their values are combined by selecting one of the following options

• Multi: Displays the values of each series side by side. Each series displays in a different color.

• Cumulative: Stacks the values vertically to show a total.

• Comparative: Displays the series in relative proportions, keeping the overall graph height constant.

This field defines the type of graphical representation used to display the data. Options include Bars, Lines, Area, or Sectors. An image displays based on the selected option.

If only one data series is available, the default representation is determined by this parameter.

If multiple series are present, you can mix presentation modes (for example, one series as bars, another as lines). In this case, each series uses the value specified in the Representation field in the grid:

• If set to Bar or Line, that mode is applied to the series, provided it is compatible with the default representation. Mixing Sectors with Bars or Lines is not allowed.
• If set to Default, the series uses the default graphical representation.

When only one series is displayed, a graph type selector is available, allowing the user to choose a different presentation mode.

Visual representation of the previously entered information.