Post 3: iReport for Java

Datasets and Table component in Jasper Reports

Welcome to the Post 3. In previous articles we went through the Introduction of iReports and Building a Simple iReport . In this article, let us add some functionality to our report by adding a table and datasets .
Tables plays a very important role in every design , in iReports Tables are used to represent data in an efficient and usefull manner. Most of the time we need to iterate our dynamic data to display the output , in case of iReports this is done by Tables and Datasets .
Let’s take a brief look at how to use a Table Component to generate a simple tabular representation of data. The following are the basic steps we will take:

1. Create a saperate Dataset so that we could iterate the data easily .
2. Add a table component to detail band of the report , and set its  basic layout and structure.
3. Put Dataset variables(Fields) in table to generate desired result.
4. Preview the report to see the table functionality.

Creating a Dataset
To create a Dataset , right-click on your Report in Report Inspector and choose Add Dataset :

A setup window w’ll appear like this :

Provide a name to Dataset and let the first radio button selected for now , click next 

In Connections/Data Sourse select the  connection that is used to your main report . Enter an appropriate query that w’ll provide us data to use in table. Now click next : 
 

In left side of the screen designer w’ll show all the datafields that can be extracted from the query , add those fields to the right side that are going to be used in table. Now click next : 

Let this page empty as it for now , and click on Finish . Here we are done with Dataset , we can review and edit it from out Report Inspector, as shown in below image : 

Adding a table component to report.

Now we w’ll add a table on required position to do this go to Palatte section and select Table component :

Drop the Table component in Details Band , now a Table Wizard window w’ll pop up , like this :

Now we need to connect our Dataset to Table , just select appropriate Dataset from drop down list and click next : 

Now select Field that you want to use in your table , and click next :

Here we can select a db connection for our Table , let the very first radio button be selected for now , click next :

Here we can set layout and design for our table , click finish and we are done with it .After creating Table you w’ll get a Table View of Designer like this : 

Here we can add Headings and Data Fields to our table .In Main Reporst we can see an Table Icon like this , table position in the Report can be adjust from here 
 

No to see the result go to Preview and you w’ll get an table added to your report , like this

Here we are done with adding a table to our report .In next post we w'll cover How  to Create a sub report and pass parameters to it.