In general most reports have a database connection because that is what reporting solutions are mostly all about. We will start out creating a report without an initial database connection to make it easier for beginners.

You can insert the following report fields and elements into a report without a database connection:

• Text Object
• Special Field
• Parameter Field
• Formula Field
• Sub-report
• Line / Box
• Picture
• Section
• Document
• PDF Signature
• PDF Form Field
• Java Bean
• Water Mark

To create a new report you need to click on the New button in the toolbar or on the menu item "File | New...". Click on the link "New Blank Report" in the welcome page to create an empty report. You will see a new report window.

• Click on the menu item "Insert | Text Object"
• Move the mouse cursor over the report window to the position where you would like to insert the text object.
  The mouse cursor will change in shape if it is moved over the report window.
• Drag a rectangle in the report window.

• Now you can enter the text for this text element. You can format the text with the format toolbar or with the dialog "Properties". To start the dialog "Properties" right click on the text object and choose the menu item for the properties that you would like to change.

• Click on the "Result" tab in the report window to see the final result in the report viewer.

The Fields Browser of an empty report contains only Special Fields.
To add the special field "Print Time" to your report you need to:

• Expand the node "Special Fields" in the Fields Browser.

• Select the field "Print Time" and drag it into the report to the position where you want to insert it.
• Click on the "Result" tab of the report window to see the result in the report viewer. The current time will be displayed in the special field.

• Select the node "Formula Fields" in the Fields Browser.
• Click on the New button in the Fields Browser (not in the toolbar of i-net Designer).
• Enter the name of the formula in the field "Formula Name"
• Enter a formula, e.g. "My first formula" (with quotes) in the text area of the formula editor.

• Click "OK".
• Expand the node "Formula Fields" in the Fields Browser.
• Select your new formula and drag it to the position in the report window where you want to insert it.
• Click on the "Result" tab of the report window to see the result in the report viewer.

• You can see the text box, the special field and the result of the formula, in this case:
  My first formula!