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Multiple Page Clause

This clause allows a report group to span more than one page.

multiple page

Multiple Page Clause: Coding Rules

  • This clause can be coded in any type of group other than PAGE HEADING and PAGE FOOTING. The RD must have a PAGE LIMIT clause.

  • Either MULTIPLE PAGE or NO MULTIPLE PAGE may be coded at the 01 level. Alternatively, NO MULTIPLE PAGE may be coded on a group of one or more LINE entries, provided that there is a MULTIPLE PAGE at the 01 level. No other nesting is allowed.

  • By default, NO MULTIPLE PAGE is assumed for all body groups and MULTIPLE PAGE for REPORT HEADING and REPORT FOOTING groups.

  • The MULTIPLE PAGE clause is not allowed in a group that has a REPEATED clause.

Multiple Page Clause: Operation

  • The MULTIPLE PAGE clause enables a single report group to occupy any number of consecutive pages. It allows you to code NEXT PAGE on as many LINE clauses as you wish throughout the group (rather than just on the first). It also allows you to define as many relative lines as you wish, irrespective of the size of the page. Thus you can print very large tables using a single GENERATE.

  • When the group is a body group with MULTIPLE PAGE, no page-fit test is performed for the group as a whole. Instead, each report line is subjected to an individual page-fit test. A LINE clause with NEXT PAGE also causes a page advance to take place. Loosely speaking then, a multiple page group may begin at any point and cause a page advance at any point.

  • When a page advance is required, a PAGE FOOTING and PAGE HEADING group are printed as usual if defined. This is the only case where groups may interrupt another group. If the line that caused the page advance is relative, it is placed in the FIRST DETAIL position, disregarding the integer of its LINE clause. In the following layout, note how the "ROBINSON" group (in blue) spans three pages:

    page footing

  • NO MULTIPLE PAGE can be used to prevent the lines in its scope from being split over a page boundary. If an OCCURS clause is also present, this rule applies separately to each occurrence. In the following example we want each set of address lines to remain together on the page:

    no multiple page

  • At the 01 level, NO MULTIPLE PAGE merely documents the usual situation that a group cannot span pages.

Compatibility

The MULTIPLE PAGE clause is unique to new Report Writer.

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