Leading Dots Between Fields

[Ken]

I have a multicolumn report that I would like to have leading dots between the two fields, but I can not find setting in the designer.  How do I get the report designer to add leading dots between fields?  

 

Item #1 ...... Reference

Item #2 .. Reference #2

 

 

[Neli]

Hello Ken,

Currently, as a workaround, you may consider adding the dots through a TextBox or add them to the Expression. For example:

= Fields.Item + " ... " 

Regards,
Neli
Progress Telerik

[Ken]

Neli,

How does that dynamically set the number of dots between the fields?

Ken

 

[Neli]

Hello Ken,

You can use the ternary operator ?: which will contain the condition and return a defined number of dots. For example:

= Fields.Item + (Len(Fields.Item) <= 5 ? " .... " : " .. ") + Fields.Reference

This will result:

Please, check the attached report for further reference.

Regards,
Neli
Progress Telerik

[Ken]

The example is clear, but leading dots are not fixed in that way.  If you look at how the table of context, the number of dots is dynamic between the first field and the next field.

I can use the example but how would I account for text that wraps as fonts are not fixed widths?

[Neli]

Hello Ken,

Thank you for the provided screenshot. 

I am not sure why do you get such an outcome. Is it possible to send us the report with some sample data, for example in CSV or JSON format, so we can test it locally? Also, could you please provide us more details about the requirement and the desired outcome?

I will be looking forward to receiving an update from you.

Regards,
Neli
Progress Telerik

[Ken]

The graphic I posted is what I am trying to create.

If you look at how a table of context works, the number of "dots" between the fields is dynamic.  Another example is, an index in the back of a book.

 

I will put a CSV together with some data.

[Neli]

Hi Ken,

It would be nice if you can send us the report with some sample data, so we can inspect and let you know if the desired outcome is achievable.

Maybe you can test the approach from the Table of Contents article.

Regards,
Neli
Progress Telerik

[Ken]

Hi Neli,

Attaching some data, but the question is not about the data, it is about how to put leading dots between two fields the same way a table of context works.  The file LeadingDots.jpg is an example of what I am trying to do.  I have not gotten this to work.

The table of context article does not work because the page number would be the second field in the query.  My data source has two fields, Item and RuleNo.  I am trying to get the dots to show up between the two fields.

Item ..<any number of dots>.. Rule No

I tried to attach a CSV but the upload would not allow it so here is some CSV data.

Item,RuleNo
8th Air Force,R61.0
Abbreviations,Annex #5
Acceleration,"C2.2, XC2.2"
"Acceleration Limits, Skip-Movement",C91.25
"Acceleration, Non-plotted",C12.24
"Acceleration, Unplotted",C12.24
Ace Pilots,J6.23
Active Terminal Guidance,"FD5.2, XFD5.2"
Administrative Shuttles,"J2.0, XJ2.0, YJ2.0"
Admiral Kosnett's War,U5.0
Admiral's Game,U3.0
Advanced Counter-Counter Measures,DN101.44
Advanced Photon Rules,E108.0
Advanced Shuttles,J17.0
Advanced Technology,X0.0
Advanced Technology Armed Priority Transport,R1.204
Advanced Technology Battle Station,R1.202
Advanced Technology Displacement Devices,XG18.0
Advanced Technology Federation Express,R1.203
Advanced Technology Fleet Repair Dock,R1.81

 

[Neli]

Hi Ken,

Thank you for the provided data.

I would suggest applying the workaround because such a scenario is not supported out of the box:

1. Use a Panel and place the Item and Rule No textboxes in it;

2. Dock the textboxes to the corners of the panel;

3. Add a Shape between the textboxes and dock it to the center (Fill).;

4. Set the ShapeType to be Horizontal Line and Style -> LineStyle to be Dotted;

5. Add a Binding to the Item textbox for the width:

Property path: Width

Expression: = Len(Fields.Item) < 15 ? "1in" : "2in"

Here you might need to update the values based on your preferences.

Please, check the attached report that demonstrates the approach and let us know if you need further help.

Regards,
Neli
Progress Telerik