BIRT Tutorial
Create a Project
Eclipse uses projects to organize your files. So, the first step is to create a new project. For this demo, let's create a project called "My Reports":
- Choose File→New→Project. The new project dialog appears.
- Open the "Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools" group and choose "Report Project".
- Click Next.
- Type "My Reports" (without the quotes) as the project name.
- Click Finish.
- Click OK if asked to switch to the Report Design perspective. (This occurs if you create a BIRT project while in a perspective other than Report Design.)
Create a Report
We're now ready to create our first report:
- Choose File→New→Report. The new report dialog appears.
- In the tree view, choose the project we just created: My Reports.
- Enter the following in the file name field: Customers.rptdesign.
- Click Next.
You can create a report in three ways: as a blank report, by using a BIRT-defined template, or by copying one of your report designs. In this tutorial we will use a Template descibed in the next section.
Choose a Template
The next page of the New Report dialog presents a selection of report templates. Before we choose the one we want, let's walk though what's available.
- My First Report - Starts a report template that takes you through a tutorial using on-line help. (That tutorial will eventually replace this one.)
- Blank Report - Creates a blank report with no predefined content.
- Simple Listing - A tabular listing with no grouping.
- Grouped Listing - A tabular listing with grouping. Grouping shows repeated values just once. Grouping also allows you to create subtotals.
- Dual Column Listing - Produces a listing with two columns side-by-side.
- Chart & Listing - A tabular listing that adds a chart to the top of the report.
- Dual Column Chart & Listing - Combines charts and tables so you can display two sets of related data in a single report.
- Side by Side Chart & Listing - Creates a grouped report where each group contains a chart and a listing side by side.
We're now ready to choose our template:
- Select the Grouped Listing.
- Click Finish.
BIRT opens your new report in the Eclipse workspace.