A report layout controls content and format of the report, including which data fields of a report dataset appear on the report and how they are arranged, text style, images, and more. From the Dynamics NAV clients, you can change which layout is used on a report, create new layout, or modify the existing layouts.
In particular, a report layout sets up the following:
A Dynamics NAV can be set up with multiple report layouts, which you can switch among as required. You can use one of the built-in report layouts or you can create custom report layouts and assign them to your reports as needed.
There are two types of report layouts that you can use on reports: Word and RDLC.
A Word report layout is a based on Word document (.docx file type). Word report layouts enable you to design report layouts by using Microsoft Word 2013 or later. A Word report layout determines the report's content - controlling how that content elements are arranged and how they look. A Word report layout document will typically use tables to arrange content, where the cells can contain data fields, text, or pictures.
RDLC layouts are based on client report definition layouts (.rdlc or .rdl file types). These layouts are created and modified by using SQL Server Report Builder. The design concept for RDLC layouts is similar to Word layouts, where the layout defines the general format of the report and determines the fields from the dataset to include. Designing RDLC layouts is more advanced than Word layouts.
Dynamics NAV includes several built-in layouts. Built-in layouts are predefined layouts that are designed for specific reports. Dynamics NAV reports will have a built-in layout as either an RDLC report layout, Word report layout, or in some cases both. You cannot modify a built-in report layout from Dynamics NAV but you use them as a starting point for building your own custom report layouts.
Custom layouts are report layouts that you design to change the appearance of a report. You typically create a custom layout based on a built-in layout, but you can create them from scratch or from a copy of an existing custom layout. Custom layouts enable you to have multiple layouts for the same report, which you switch among as needed. For example, you can have different layouts for each Dynamics NAV company, or you can have different layouts for the same company for specific occasions or events, like a special campaign or holiday season.
A report layout can be based on either a Word document or RDLC file. Deciding on whether to use a Word report layout or RDLC report layout type will depend on how you want the generated report to look and your knowledge of Word and SQL Server Report Builder.
The general design concepts for Word and RDLC layouts are very similar. However each type has certain design features that affect how the generated report is appears in Dynamics NAV. This means that the same report might look different when using the Word report layout compared to the RDLC report layout.
The process for setting up Word report layouts and RDLC report layouts on reports is the same. The main difference is in the way you modify the layouts. Word report layouts are typically easier to create and modify than RDLC report layouts because you can use Word. RDLC report layouts are modified by using SQL Server Report builder which targets more advanced users.
For information on how to change which layout to use, see How to: Change Which Layout is Currently Used on a Report
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How to: Create a Custom Report Layout
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