I may have solved my problem - but don't quite understand how - could someone please explain.
I am creating a report that needs to show data from subsequent records across the columns rather than down the page. Don't ask why - customer wants it and customer is always right.(.. and the multi column option won't cut it as other data also present).
SO I have a subreport that shows up to 12 records each with a value, and I want these values to show in 1 line on the main report.
I have put a counter on the detail line of the subreport - and when it runs is shows the 12 lines.
What I have done is create 12 shared variables (val1...val12) and in each said "If count = x then var = value" for each of them. Works fine and I have 12 values.
On the main report - I have the subreport then a new detail line beneath. I have created the 12 shared variables in the main report with same names(val1...val12) and put these into the section beneath the subreport. I want to hide the subreport and just show the line of values.
On first test - the variables didn't show any values, all 0. After a bit of play around I found that if I made the subreport visible and big enough that it shows all 12 lines of detail - then the variables populate and show. Making it tiny again - the variables still show. I then added 12 more sets of data from the sub detail records and again these didn''t show - until I made the sub large again....but after closing it they continued to show.
Is there something that needs to be done to 'kick start' the passing of the variable or link it somehow??
Seems very odd and I just would like to know why or if I'm missing something.
ps I know if I suppress the Subreport I won't get the data - but I do if I suppress the details IN the subreport...
Phil