Introduction

DataStyler Designer allows you to create or modify report templates without coding, using drag-and-drop technique and basic knowledge of MS Word. To start working, you have to have DataStyler Designer installed on your hard drive, Java 5, MS Word 2003 or 2007 and XEP Engine.

Required software

Required preinstalled software for running the DataStyler application
Java v 1.5.x	overview	download	free
MS Word 2003/2007 Professional (English)	overview	download	buy
Internet Explorer v.6 or later	overview	download	free

Using this preinstalled components DataStyler's user can create templates, data sheets and generates reports in HTML and WordML output formats.

Required additional software for producing reports in PDF, PostScript and AFP output formats
Adobe Acrobat Reader v.7 or later	overview	download	free
RenderX's XEP-engine	overview	download	buy
IBM plug-in for AFP preview	overview	download	free
Ghost for PostScript preview	overview	download	free

Some additional software may be needed for view or produce new output formats in future versions of XEP.

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Installation Guide

Unpack DataStyler.zip file on your hard drive. Verify that you have Java, MS Word and XEP installed. Run DataStyler.exe. Now we have to add a path to XEP, otherwise we can not render reports. Click on File->XEP Wizard, then click Next and in the next pop-up – click Browse. Show the path to xep.bat file in XEP's root on your computer. Then click Next->Finish, to save the changes. After rebooting DataStyler Designer is ready to work.

Creating new Template

Watch video tutorial how to create new report (template).

Run DataStyler Designer application.
Click on "Create blank Template" icon in the upper left corner of the application screen. Blank MS Word page will be opened.
Open XML data file. Click on "Open xml-data" icon, find and open your XML file.

Select "Embedded Data" Tab and extend all the items by clicking on "+" signs.
Select master-table element and check "Data table" radiobutton and "Create Item-tags" checkbox below, in Property Sheet.
Then drag-and-drop your xml-data element from tree view onto MS Word document.
Now let's generate PDF preview of our report by clicking on "PDF" icon in DataStyler Designer.
We will the data list consists of 2 columns, which is far from perfect so far. Let's build detail window for our report.

First, in MS Word let's add one more row below the header, highlight it and click on "Merge Cells" menu item.
In DataStyler Designer select "Embedded Data" Tab again and click on detail-table element.
In property sheet choose "Detail table" radiobutton and "Create Item-tags" checkbox.
Then drag-and-drop detailed xml-data element from tree view onto recently created row.

Now we can enhance our report - add borders, modify font styles, set margins, etc. When all the changes are done, go back to DataStyler Designer and click on "PDF" icon to receive the final report.