Enabling the User to Filter Data  : Designing the presentation of report parameters
 
Designing the presentation of report parameters
After verifying that the report parameters generate the report that you expect, focus on the presentation of the parameter information. You can make the parameters more user-friendly by setting their display properties. Table 13‑1 lists the ways in which you can enhance the usability and appearance of report parameters. Details about each technique are presented in subsequent sections.
Table 13‑1 Techniques for enhancing report parameter usability
To apply this technique
Use this property
Use a prompt that describes clearly what value a user enters. For example, display text, such as:
Enter the state’s abbreviation
 
Prompt text
Provide a default value that generates a well-presented report in the event that a user does not supply a value. A default value also functions as an example.
 
Default value
Provide helpful information about a report parameter. A user sees this information when he hovers the mouse over the parameter. For example, for a customer ID parameter, provide information, such as:
Type a number between 100 and 500
 
Help text
Create a list box, a combo box, or a set of radio buttons that display values for the user to select, instead of requiring the user to type a value in a text box.
 
Display type
Display values in a suitable format if a report parameter displays a list of values in a list box, a combo box, or radio buttons. For example, if values for sales totals are stored in #### format in the data source, you can change the display format to $#,###.00.
Format As