eSS Example of Reusable Reporting Concepts

Here is an example of an eSpreadSheet design that uses the Reusable Reporting concepts previously mentioned. The data layer uses our generic schema to swap data sets within this spreadsheet design without having to modify the layout. Column headings are externalized in a text file and swapped in with the associated data set. The example can be downloaded by clicking here.

To use this example, run as is to see the design against the Products data set and ProductLabels.txt. Next, set the Status Data set to the Book default by right-clicking on the Status Data item in the Data Explorer. Select Set Default then select Book.


Next, let's switch our column headers to come from our StatusLabels.txt external file. Right-click on Label Data Source under Data Sources, select Edit, and change the Source File to StatusLabels.txt as such:


Run the design to test the results. Voila! The eSS design now shows order status information instead of product information. All without modifying the spreadsheet layout. It's a beautiful thing.