Repeating a row in dataset
I have an unusual requirement that is causing me extreme difficulty. I have a dataset which contains an important row; this row must be repeated as the first row on each page so that the users can see it for comparison. The data is shown in a cross tab so that it appears horizontally, but the data set contains rows. There are 5 rows on each page plus the comparison row. In other words, if the rows were numbered I want them to appear like this: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 0, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 0, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.
I've tried numerous ways to accomplish this and failed at all of them:
* SQL and datasource trickery. I tried defining a flat file with the desired sequence, importing that as another dataset, and joining to my data set. The resultant dataset is sorted and does not preserve the ordering of my flat file, destroying the desired sequence.
* Event handling. I tried to write an event handler and hook in at various points of the report generation. It seems that the available interfaces only allow the developer to tweak particular rows; there is no access to the overall dataset, allowing rows to be inserted, duplicated, etc.
* Custom data source. I looked at the wizard which generates a custom ODA data source implementation; this looks extremely complex.
It appears my only option is to create the desired list on the Java side and somehow pass it to BIRT via a scripted or web service data source. This is not very desirable either as all of the other reports use simple, generic code to invoke them. Does anyone have any other ideas about how this could be accomplished? Thanks in advance!
