Part I: Access Building Blocks
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Identifying the different types of reports
Four basic types of reports are used by most businesses:l (^) Tabular reports: These reports print data in rows and columns with groupings and totals.
Variations include summary and group/total reports.
l (^) Columnar reports: These reports print data and can include totals and graphs.
l Mailing-label reports: These reports create multicolumn labels or snaked-column reports.
Tabular reports
Tabular reports are similar to a table displaying data in rows and columns. Figure 9.1 is a typical
tabular report (rptProductsSummary) displayed in Print Preview.
Unlike forms or datasheets, tabular reports often group data by one or more fields. Often, tabular
reports calculate and display subtotals or statistical information for numeric fields in each group.
Some reports include page totals and grand totals. You can even have multiple snaked columns so
that you can create directories (such as telephone books). These types of reports often use page
numbers, report dates, or lines and boxes to separate information. Reports may have color and
shading and display pictures, business graphs, and memo fields. A special type of summary tabular
report can have all the features of a detail tabular report but omit record details.
FIGURE 9.1
A tabular report (rptProductsSummary) displayed in Print Preview
Report header Page header
Category header Category sums