ProductsStyleVisionDatabase Reporting

Altova StyleVision® 2010 makes it easy to generate dynamic database reports. In one simple step you can access data in relational or XML databases and render eye-catching HTML pages, RTF documents, PDF reports, Word 2007+ (OOXML), and Authentic® electronic forms.

Database Support

StyleVision supports the ability to create stylesheets based on XML Schemas, XML instance files, XBRL taxonomies, DTDs, and databases. This unique ability allows you to generate database reports in HTML, RTF, PDF, and Word 2007+ – all based on a single design. This design also generates an Authentic e-Form , which allows business users to query and update database data using Altova’s XML and database content editor.

StyleVision offers support for the following databases:

• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2000, 2005, 2008
• IBM DB2® 8, 9
• IBM DB2 for iSeries® v5.4
• Oracle® 9i, 10g, 11g
• Sybase® 12
• MySQL® 4, 5
• PostgreSQL 8
• Microsoft Access™ 2003, 2007

 Click here to download a fully functional, free 30-day trial of Altova StyleVision® 2010!

The Database Connection Wizard in StyleVision makes it easy to connect to any relational database. It presents you with a list of the views, tables, and system tables, and the Preview Window lets you to see the data while you're selecting the tables and views to use in your database reporting design. In addition to connecting to relational data, you can access and work with XML data stored in database fields (IBM DB2 9 and SQL Server).

The Add/Edit SELECT Statement dialog enables you enter any SQL SELECT statement as input for rendering.

Database Query Window

The Database Query window includes a browser pane that displays the database connection information and database tables, a SQL Editor pane, and a results pane that displays the data returned by your SQL query. There are several ways to compose the SQL statements required for querying the database. You can enter them manually in the SQL Editor, which provides auto-completion, or you can let StyleVision autogenerate SQL statements by dragging database objects from the browser pane onto the SQL editor or selecting them using the right-click menu. Alternatively, you may import and edit existing SQL scripts.

Once you execute a query, you can view, search, and sort the results. Support for Database Views means that you can also render a virtual table which shows the result of your query in an organized fashion without affecting the underlying database.

Creating Database Reports

When you’re ready to create your database report design, you simply drag elements from the Schema Tree, drop them at the desired location on the design pane, and specify formatting and layout rules using context-sensitive right click menus and advanced entry helper windows. The screenshot below shows a database report being designed in StyleVision. Learn more about the rich stylesheet design features StyleVision provides for creating database reports and database-enabled Authentic forms.

StyleVision also offers an alternative design paradigm for those more accustomed to working with common desktop publishing applications. For more information, see the Electronic Forms Design page.

Advanced database reporting features like grouping based on the XSLT 2.0 standard, inline Primary and Foreign key creation, and support for Database Views enable you to add complexity and dynamic functionality to your report designs.

Grouping

StyleVision's support for grouping based on the functionality provided in XSLT 2.0 enables you to apply sophisticated organizational processing to your database reports by isolating node sets based on XPath 2.0 expressions, and applying any variety of processing instructions to that group. Grouping options are available in the right-click menu when you have an element selected and you can ensure the validity of your XPath expressions using StyleVision's built-in XPath Editor.

Grouping support in StyleVision enables you to easily increase the efficiency and accuracy of your database reports and other data output by associating elements that are conceptually related but not expressly wrapped together in your source data.

Working with XML in Databases

In addition to creating database reports to publish relational data, StyleVision allows you to render XML data stored in database columns (IBM DB2 9 and SQL Server). You simply specify the table and column that houses the XML document to be published and the XML Schema on which to base the StyleVision design. You can select a schema that is registered in the database or one from your local file system.

Then you create your design just like you would for any other XML Schema. StyleVision connects to the database to access the data and render it in HTML, RTF, PDF, and Word 2007+ formats. An Authentic e-Form is also produced, which can be used to view and edit the XML document stored in the database.

Rich Output Options

StyleVision is the first tool of its kind that allows you to access database data and transform it to HTML, RTF, PDF and/or Word 2007+ using presentation stylesheets – all in one easy step. All the rich StyleVision formatting and processing options for XSLT 1.0, XSLT 2.0, and XLS:FO design, as well as advanced stylesheet functions such as dynamic tables, tables of contents, and more, are available to help you create effective, eye-catching database reports and electronic forms. At any time during the design process, you can save one or all of the output files and standards-conformant stylesheets that are autogenerated based on your graphical design.

In addition, StyleVision includes support for command line operations that allow you to call its functionality from within other applications without opening the graphical user interface (GUI). When you use these command line functions, StyleVision runs in the background, generates the required output files, and closes. This allows you to silently execute XSLT transformations and generate new or updated output files, including XSLT 1.0/2.0, HTML, XSL:FO, and PDF, as well as XML data files and XML Schemas from databases.

Experience the powerful database reporting features of StyleVision® 2010. Download a free 30-day trial of StyleVision.