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Excel output problem

pm-lemos

Hi everybody,

I'm having problems with the excel output using Birt, when using tribix extended emitter.

As you can see in the attachment, the problem is that excel is being generated with a lot of columns for each field, and as a result, it happen to 'hide' my values.

Instead of one value per column and per row. A lot of rows and columns are being created...in the end the report looks too strange.
See the attachment for a more visual details.

Any one can help me with this one?
thanks!

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pm-lemos

Suggestions?
Anyone?!

mwilliams

Hi pm-lemos,

I'm not sure I'm quite understanding the issue and the image is very small and hard to see.

pm-lemos

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' data-author="mwilliams">Hi pm-lemos, 
 
I'm not sure I'm quite understanding the issue and the image is very small and hard to see.</blockquote>
 
Hi, 
 
You're right

I didn't notice the image was so small. My bad! 
 
I'm gonna try to explain the best I can what is my problem: 
 
When I use Birt to export (using as I said earlier Tribix extended emitter) a report to an .xls document, the output is quite messed up. 
 
In the place where should exist only, imagine a report 2rows x 2columns, I will get an excel with something like 6x6. I have picked up a new snapshot, this time a bit larger because, I can't explain me better... 
 
For me it seams birt is using rows and columns to build the desired report design. 
It seams it uses: 
- 1column for the left padding, another one for right padding; 
- 1 row for top padding, 1 row for bottom padding. 
 
Please check the snapshot and pay special attention to the column and row headers and the selected cell. 
 
Thanks in advance!

pm-lemos

So no ideas?!

dzish

Hi,I had problems with excel, too. I closed these troubles with this conclusions:

1. export to excel is in presentation format - WYSIWYG like pdf
2. I prefer export to csv where is possible
3. If excel export is necessary I use for MasterPage Landscape or custom format

Jan

pm-lemos

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' data-author="dzish">Hi,I had problems with excel, too. I closed these troubles with this conclusions: 
 
1. export to excel is in presentation format - WYSIWYG like pdf 
2. I prefer export to csv where is possible 
3. If excel export is necessary I use for MasterPage Landscape or custom format 
 
Jan</blockquote>
 
First of all, thanks for the feedback.

Then I must say that discarding the excel format its not possible. 
And that I'm also using the MasterPage Landscape. 
 
So no progress at all. 
Either way, thank's. 
 
If theres anyone "out there" that used Birt with Tribix extended excel emitter?

mwilliams

pm-lemos,

Sorry for the delay. I took some time off around the Thanksgiving holiday. What version of BIRT are you using? What version of Excel? Is there a reason you're using the Tribix emitter over the standard BIRT XLS emitter?

pm-lemos

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' data-author="mwilliams">pm-lemos, 
 
Sorry for the delay. I took some time off around the Thanksgiving holiday. What version of BIRT are you using? What version of Excel? Is there a reason you're using the Tribix emitter over the standard BIRT XLS emitter?</blockquote>
 
Hi mwilliams, 
 
Don't worry about that

I'm the one who must thank you for the reply... 
 
So, in response to your questions: 
- I'm using Birt 2.5.1 
- Excel 2003 and 2007 
- I'm using Tribix emitter instead of Birt XLS emitter because of birt xls format seems not to support images. 
 
Thanks once more!

pm-lemos

Suggestions
...Anyone?

mwilliams

pm-lemos,

Can you attach a sample report design made with the sample database where you have this issue with the Tribix emitter and I'll run it with the standard emitter to see if it's an issue there as well?

pm-lemos

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' data-author="mwilliams">pm-lemos, 
 
Can you attach a sample report design made with the sample database where you have this issue with the Tribix emitter and I'll run it with the standard emitter to see if it's an issue there as well?</blockquote>
 
Hi mwilliams, 
 
Sorry about the delay... 
I'm sending the report design which I'm having problems with. 
 
The only difference between this report and the one I'm using are the data fields. All the other properties have been kept the same. 
 
I tested with birt preview and spotted that: 
- no images, like i expected; 
- excel format has less columns than when using tribix emitter. 
 
Will be waiting for your reply. 
Once more, thank you very much! 
 
Pedro Lemos

mwilliams

Pedro, 
 
To me, from your screenshot, it looks like it's a feature of the Tribix XLS output, trying to make your stucture exactly the same in XLS as the other formats. You could file a bug/enhancement request at <a class='bbc_url' href='http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=166446&atid=839039'>SourceForge.net: Tribix - Extended Emitters for BIRT: Bugs</a>.

pm-lemos

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' data-author="mwilliams">Pedro, 
 
To me, from your screenshot, it looks like it's a feature of the Tribix XLS output, trying to make your stucture exactly the same in XLS as the other formats. You could file a bug/enhancement request at <a class='bbc_url' href='http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=166446&atid=839039'>SourceForge.net: Tribix - Extended Emitters for BIRT: Bugs</a>.</blockquote>
 
Thanks for your feedback.

I'm gonna try to find a workaround to solve my problem. 
 
But will fill the bug/enhancement form anyway. 
 
Just to close this up: 
- Have you tried the report design with the tribix emitter? If so I would like you to tell me how did it looked to you. 
 
thanks!

mwilliams

I have the Tribix emitter installed for 2.3.2.2. I haven't tried yet with 2.5.1. Not sure what differences there are. I may try it here this afternoon.

mwilliams

Pedro,

I installed the Tribix emitter into BIRT 2.5.1. The table takes more columns it seems. It goes through column AB. I'll see if there's anything I can do to make it take less columns and let you know.

mwilliams

By simplifying your grid setup in your master page header, I was able to reduce the amount of columns used to make the report in XLS by 13 columns.

pm-lemos

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' data-author="mwilliams">By simplifying your grid setup in your master page header, I was able to reduce the amount of columns used to make the report in XLS by 13 columns.</blockquote>
 
mwilliams, 
 
Thank you for all the feedback you've been providing me!

Those last posts kind of iluminated me, and I finally understand whats happening. I'm going to simplify, as you said, the design in the "master template page". 
 
Regards, 
Pedro Lemos 
 
ps. then i tell you how it went

mwilliams

Pedro,

Sounds good. Just let me know. Also, I can post the report with the simplified grid I made if you'd like.

pm-lemos

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' data-author="mwilliams">Pedro, 
 
Sounds good. Just let me know. Also, I can post the report with the simplified grid I made if you'd like.</blockquote>
 
Hi, 
 
After taking in consideration that Birt uses excel rows and columns to design the report, it became a little bit easier to simplify that same report. 
I'm not (yet

) at the 13columns, but am much better. 
 
Thanks a lot for all the help. 
 
Pedro Lemos

mwilliams

Pedro,

No problem. Let us know whenever you have questions!

smuks

Pedro/mwilliams,

I am facing the exact same issue as Pedro with the columns and rows all bunched up and more than required columns and rows being generated with the Tribix 2.5.1 emitter.

Could one of you please elaborate on what needs to be done to fix this issue? I am at a dead end and I have no clue what I can do to improve my report output to make it look better.

Your pointers will be much appreciated.

Thanks much in advance.

torjoshi

Could someone please elaborate on the fix for this issue. I have a situation where I need to do a similar cleanup.

Thanks RJ.

mwilliams

If you have more than one table or a table inside a grid, etc, your layout gets more complex, so the emitter is trying to recreate your exact layout. Simplifying your design is probably going to be the easiest way to clean it up as much as you can. Possibly using a fixed layout with your columns all sized exactly the same might help. Otherwise, using the CSV emitter and opening the file in Excel might be the best for a clean layout. You could also try creating a separate, larger masterpage for your XLS output, it may help with the bunching of columns.

ykphuah

I am having the same issue, I am using tribix because the default XLS emitter doesn't work for me, filed a bug under 
<a class='bbc_url' href='https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=356041'>https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=356041</a> 
 
I don't understand how should I simplify my layout, as I am just using a very simple table. 
 
<img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-X84skKZC2eg/TltcFanZrjI/AAAAAAAABBA/DmhVRQ53mWM/s640/EasyCapture1.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' />

jeffmor

To reduce number of columns just set left and right padding of each cell to 0. Removing top and bottom padding will reduce number of rows accordingly. Since excel doesn't allow to set margins inside cells it is implemented through creating additional thin columns.

To export reports with correct row height try our Arctorus BIRT emitters.

Regards,
Jeff

mcremer

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' data-author="'ykphuah'" data-cid="82008" data-time="1314610423" data-date="29 August 2011 - 02:33 AM">
I am having the same issue, I am using tribix because the default XLS emitter doesn't work for me, filed a bug under 
<a class='bbc_url' href='https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=356041'>https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=356041</a> 
 
I don't understand how should I simplify my layout, as I am just using a very simple table. 
 
<img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-X84skKZC2eg/TltcFanZrjI/AAAAAAAABBA/DmhVRQ53mWM/s640/EasyCapture1.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /> </blockquote>
 
Well, 
 
Here my 2 cents. 
 
Eny object that has a cell will be represented in its own cell in Excel. 
 
So for example: 
 
I have a grid and in that grid I put a table so I can manage the layout better in PDF. Is somting you do not want 2 do in Excel output. 
 
Secondly: 
Table A has 10 columsn and out of those 10 you merged 1 (then the table will be 11 and thus the cell output). 
 
So what we mean wit simplefying is thinking a head. 
 
Make your data set only represent what you need to show. Remove the columns you dont want to show (example data you need for scripting higlicting, grouping). 
 
Keep in mind that merging has a heavy influcance. 
 
We use the standart exel emmiters and they work great. (but then again we moslty use the iServer for the real deal). 
 
Hope this helps.

Vernon720

I don't know if it helps, but grids in headers and footers will create extra columns in Excel.