The Report Wizard offers a good compromise between ease-of-use and flexibility. With the Report Wizard, you can use multiple tables and queries and choose a layout and format for your report. Follow these steps to create a report with Report Wizard:
Open the database containing the table or query on which you want to report.
Click the Reports tab in the Database window.
Double-click Create report by using wizard to start the Report Wizard (see Figure 23.2).
Click a field in the Available Fields list, and then click the > button to move it to the Selected Fields list. Repeat this step to select all the fields you want, or click to move all the fields over at once.
If desired, select another table or query from the Tables/Queries list and repeat step 5. The tables you choose should have relationships between them, so your data will match up on the report. When you finish selecting fields, click Next. The wizard's next dialog box appears (see Figure 23.3).
If you want the records grouped by any of the fields you selected, click the field, and then click the button. You can select several grouping levels in the order you want them. Then click Next to move on.
Caution
Grouping? By default, there are no groups. You have to select a field and click the > button to create a group. Grouping sets off each group on the report. If you use a field to group, the Grouping Options button becomes active, and you can click it to specify precise grouping settings.
You're asked what sort order you want to use (see Figure 23.4). If you want sorted records, open the top drop-down list and select a field to sort by. Select up to four sorts from the drop-down lists; then click Next.
Tip
Ascending or Descending? By default, the sort is in ascending order (A–Z). Click the AZ button next to the box to change the sort order to descending (Z–A) if you like.
In the next dialog box (see Figure 23.5), choose a layout option from the Layout section. When you click an option button, the sample in the box changes to show your selection.
Caution
Where Are All the Layouts? If you don't choose any groupings in your report, your layout choices are limited to three: Columnar, Tabular, and Justified. The layouts shown in Figure 23.5 are unique to grouped reports.
In the next wizard dialog box, you're asked to choose a report style. Several are listed; click one to see a sample of it, and then click Next when you're satisfied with your choice.
You're asked for a report title. Enter one in the Report text box, and click Finish to see your report in Print Preview (see Figure 23.6).