Some Users tell us that infrequently a report may be displayed that is missing data when previewed. There are various possible reasons for this issue, but one cause may be a defective report dataset definition.

This article explains a pre-test to apply to your report to determine if this may be the issue, and then the procedure for fixing the issue if the test is positive.

Symptom : Missing data on a rendered report.

Pre-Test : Open the report in the Report Designer and use the View Data command to verify that data exists in each dataset table.

Resolution : Redefine the dataset definitions of the tables that are blank.

See the tutorials below for the steps to perform in the Pre-Test and the Resolution above.

Pre-Test Tutorial

1. Open Toolbox and click: “Toolbox Setup > Design Reports > Design Manufacturing Report (or the report type needed).”
   
2. Click “Open Report,” select the report that is unexpectedly missing data, select the work order and batch if applicable, and click “Designer” to open the report in the report designer.
   
3. Click the “Dictionary” tab in the lower right corner of the designer, expand “Data Sources > NewDataSet.”
   
4. Right-click on each table to confirm that the resulting grid contains data. If the resulting data grid looks like Figure 1, it is OK. If it is blank and looks like Figure 2, the dataset definition needs to be repaired.
   


Fig. 1







Fig. 2





5. If the data grid is blank like Figure 2, proceed with the “Resolution Tutorial” below. Otherwise, look elsewhere for a solution to the missing data.
   

Resolution Tutorial

1. If you have the report open in the report designer, close it and open it again in the Report Viewer, so you see the rendered report.
   
2. Click the button: “Edit Data Source” and click the database type for the offending table found in the pre-test above.
   


Fig. 3 





3. Uncheck the checkbox for the offending table, and click OK.
   
4. Open the again in the Report Viewer, so you see the rendered report.
   
5. Click the button: “Edit Data Source” again and click the database type for the same offending table.
   
6. Check the checkbox ON for the table, and click OK.
   
7. Repeat the Pre-Test above to verify the issue has been fixed.
   

This procedure redefines the dataset as defined in the factory database.

This issue happens infrequently, so if you can duplicate the broken dataset, send us the procedure you used to break the report. We would love to hear from you in the comments section below.

Watch the attached video to see a demonstration of the tutorials in this article.