Some of our users have observed that the button “Edit Page” has been removed from the default report viewer toolbar. They have used this in the past and would like to continue using it. How can they reactivate that button?
The reason for its removal is that when the report is accessed from that button, the user does not have access to the Microvellum dataset that is used in the report. Accessing Report Designer through this button limits what modifications can be done in the report.
Without access to that dataset, it is possible to make basic modifications, such as changing the text associated with report components. Beyond this, you need to be careful as to the extent of modifications you make as you cannot view the database structure to help select the proper fields. Second, you cannot verify your design changes and render the report from inside the Designer. Third, you cannot save your changes to the report template.
Knowing this, if you want to reactivate that button, it is a setting that is saved inside the individual reports. If you want to access it from the Processing Center, you will first need to prepare the report using Setup > Design Reports. With the report open in the Designer from those commands, open the Properties panel and select “Report: Report” from the dropdown box at the top of the panel. Click the small ellipsis button in the property field for “Preview Settings” and check the box for “Edit Page” from the Page Settings screen. Click OK, save the report, and close the Designer and Viewer. Open the Processing Center, click General > Reports, and select the report to modify. Click the “Edit Page” button that is now active, and a rudimentary report designer will open. Modify the desired text field, close and save the report, and the modification will be displayed in the report viewer screen.
You will now be able to print the report or save it to various formats, but the changes cannot be saved back to the report template. In that context, the modifications done to the report from the Edit Page button are temporary.
One reason you might want to use the Designer in this way is if your report is being distributed to several clients or vendors with slightly different information for each one. You could edit the page in this way by modifying the contact information, print or save to PDF, modify the information for the next contact, and so on. It could be a handy tool depending on your needs.
No “Edit Page” button:
“Edit Page” button after activation: