Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for presenting fields associated with a report format suitable for displaying data associated with a plurality of fields, the plurality of fields being associated with one or more records. A layout is obtained, the layout being a report format including the plurality of fields. A user selection is received. A first list of fields that are pertinent to the layout (e.g., including the plurality of fields) is presented when the user selection is in a first state. For instance, the first list of fields may include only the fields that are in the layout (e.g., visible to the user). When the user selection is in a second state, a user is presented or provided access to a second list of fields, where the second list of fields includes fields that are not in the layout. The second list of fields may also include the fields that are pertinent to the layout (e.g., those fields in the layout).

Abstract: An assistant for the creation of layouts/reports for databases is disclosed. A layout for a database is the arrangement of information for the database such as for data entry or screen viewing, and a report (or report format) for a database is the arrangement of information from the database for presentation of the data in a printed document or with on-line viewing. The assistant serves to automate in the creation of the layout/reports after an interview sequence with a user.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for displaying data associated with a plurality of records in a database, including obtaining a first layout including a body defining a plurality of fields having a specified order and associated attributes, each of the associated attributes having a corresponding attribute value. A second layout is created from the first layout such that the second layout includes selected ones of the plurality of fields, the second layout being adapted for displaying a plurality of records such that values associated with the same field of the plurality of records are displayed adjacent to one another. Attribute values corresponding to at least some of the attributes associated with the plurality of fields are then copied from the first layout to the second layout. The second layout is then displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for displaying data associated with a plurality of records in a database, including obtaining a first layout including a body defining a plurality of fields having a specified order and associated attributes, each of the associated attributes having a corresponding attribute value. A second layout is created from the first layout such that the second layout includes selected ones of the plurality of fields, the second layout being adapted for displaying a plurality of records such that values associated with the same field of the plurality of records are displayed adjacent to one another. Attribute values corresponding to at least some of the attributes associated with the plurality of fields are then copied from the first layout to the second layout. The second layout is then displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for generating value lists. The operations for generating a value list include providing a first database having a plurality of fields configured to display values that are associated with predefined information types. Preferably a second database having a plurality of fields containing values associated with predefined information types is also provided. Once the databases are provided, one of the plurality of fields in the first database is selected to be associated with a value list. The selected field will preferably have a particular information type, and the value list will preferably contain one or more values that are specific to the particular information type. The process then proceeds to define the value list to contain values from certain fields of the second database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of corresponding the order of fields from a first data set to the order of fields in a second data set is provided by displaying the fields from a first record in the first data set on a display. Then, a first field name from the second data set is displayed to correspond with a first field from the first record in the first data set. The position on the display of the first field name from the second data set is then rearranged to correspond with a second field from the first record in the first data set.