Copy a Report

Maintenance Connection includes a Copy Report feature that allows you to copy existing reports. Reports are copied for three common reasons:

• To save the original format of a report before customizing the setup or criteria.

  When a report is going to be customized for a specific use, it is typically copied first, so as to ensure that the original report is not changed.

• To create multiple copies of a similar report with different Report Criteria.

  For example, users may want to save copies of reports that display similar information for different records (such as for different repair centers, shops, or departments). Rather than needing to alter the report criteria each time the report is run, a copy of the report can be made with the appropriate criteria.

• To provide individual users with their own report copies.

  The feature can be used to give individual users their own reports with which to work. By placing these copies in Custom Report Groups, individual users gain quick access to commonly accessed reports.

Copy a report:

1. Locate and select a report to be copied from the Report List.

   The selected report should be as similar as possible to the new report you want to create, as all aspects of report definition will be copied. In particular, it is important that the original report lists the correct data fields as available for reporting (this means that the tables and fields are listed in the Available field).

2. Click the Copy Report button.

   The Report Copy window opens.

3. Enter a name for the copied report in the Report Name field.

   By default, the report will be named Copy of [original report name]. We recommend you use a convention for report naming that makes reports easy to identify. For example, you could use the convention: report name – initials – date created.

4. Make your changes.

   The copied report has the same setup options as the original report. You have all standard options available to modify the Report Setup in the Copy Report window. However, you might prefer to exit and access the report from the Report Preview window prior to making additional changes.

   If you want to have this new report included in a specific report group, click the Groups tab and select the appropriate group.

5. Click the Apply button.

   You are returned to the Report List with your new report included in the list.

   If you want to modify the Report Criteria or view the new report in the Report Preview window:

   1. Locate and select your new report.

      To quickly find your copied report, you can select Report Copies from the Report Type field at the top of the page. The page refreshes with only the reports you have copied.

   2. Choose between two options:

      • Click the Run Report button.

      • Double-click the report name.

        The Report Criteria window opens.

   3. Make your changes.

   4. Choose between two options:

      • Click the Apply button.

        Your criteria changes are applied for this instance of running the report.

      • Click the Save button.

        Your changes are saved.

        Your new report opens in the Report Preview window. Use the options in the toolbar to modify Report Setup or Report Criteria.