To open Report Style Editor, use the Designer >Edit Report Styles... menu item. You can also open Report Style Editor directly from the preview window:

This method is more preferable as it allows you to see right away how the report being edited will look like when printed. 

The Report Style main window is visually divided into 4 parts:

1 - List of existing report styles. Use the list to select a report style for editing.

2 - Area Editor Pane. Use this window to modify areas and elements properties (positions, sizes, colors, fonts, etc.).

3 - Toolbars. Contains the report style management toolbar, the edit toolbar and the set of elements.

4 - The selected element properties windows.

Creating and Deleting Report Styles

Use the first panel to manage report styles:

Buttons description (from left to right):

• Create. Use the button to create a new report style. You can create a blank report style or use a wizard.
• Clone. Use the button to clone the selected report style.
• Delete. Use the button to delete the selected report style.
• Move the report style in the list (Up/Down). Use the button to change the report style position in the report style list (1).
• Modify Properties. Use this button to configure report style properties (such as name, number of columns, records layout, printer, etc). Learn more about report style properties...

Editing Area

Click a necessary area of the selected report style to select it. The selected area is marked with color, while the other areas remain black-and-white:

You can select elements in the same way as you select an object in Windows. To select a single element, use the left mouse button. To select multiple elements, move the mouse while holding the left mouse button down. The selected element is marked with eight blue handles on its sides and corners of the element. In case of multiple selection, the first property tab changes to Arrange and contains element alignment tools.

You can move elements in the same way you move an object in Windows, i.e., using the drag-and-drop technique.

You can adjust the grid spacing and measurement units by selecting the Tools > Options... menu item.

To copy/cut/paste/delete elements use the edit toolbar:

Legend

Depending on the type of element, special characters can be displayed next to it on this tab:

• *w* - means that the width of the element is automatically re-sized when its contents changes;
• *h* - means that the height of the element is automatically re-sized when its contents changes;
• red arrow - means that location of the element depends on the location and size of another element;
• ABS POS: X, Y Cm - means that the element will be printed on the page with a strict indent of X cm (inches) from the left margin and Y cm (inches) from the top margin.

To learn more, see the Positioning of Report Style Elements section.

If the element is marked with a blue border, this means that it is a database field or a formula; if the element is marked with a gray border, this means that it is a simple static label.

Creating Elements

Every report area consists of elements. To add a new element to the area, click its icon on the element panel:

The element will appear in the current area. Learn more about elements...