Is there a way to make a standalone form from queries or reports in Base?

[JKEngineer]

I’m using LO Portable 4.3.2.2 on a Win 7 Pro machine, primarily, although I don’t think that’s critical for my question.

Forms created in Base can be saved as Writer files, .odt. When linked back to the database the .odt file can be used directly to function as the form. This avoids having to launch the database file. These standalone forms can also be aggregated into another Writer file to create a “switchboard”, using, for example, push buttons for each form. Both of these approaches are good ways to make the database easier to use for less computer comfortable users.

When trying the same approach with either queries or reports, the file seems to be savable only back into the database. Is there a way to create an external file similar to the forms method? Lacking that, is there a way to create a desktop shortcut that would run the query or report?

[JKEngineer]

I am aware of an Open Office Extension for creating a switchboard. It’s available here: http://extensions.openoffice.org/en/project/openofficeorg-base-switchboard
It claims to work for both forms and reports. However, it has not been updated since July 2010 and lists OO.o version 3.4 as compatible. I am leery of trying it - just too many cautions (OO vs LO, age, compatibility).
There’s nothing in the LO Extensions.

[rautamiekka]

Try it, the only way to know. Make a backup of data before trying and work on the original, not the backup.

[frofa]

When trying the same approach with either queries or reports, the file seems to be savable only back into the database. Is there a way to create an external file similar to the forms method? Lacking that, is there a way to create a desktop shortcut that would run the query or report?

If I understand your question correctly, you do have the option of generating (auto-updating) dynamic reports and query result-sets using Calc linked to a registered Base database as data-source. See these links for ideas:

1. Creating DataPilot Tables
2. Using the DataPilot
3. Tutorial - Using registered datasources in Calc
4. Also see the relevant sections of the LO Calc Guide (e.g. Chapter 8)
5. Tutorial - Standalone Forms / Switchboard

Is there a way to create an external file similar to the forms method?

When using a Calc sheet to report/query the linked database, you are effectively ‘hiding’ the Base interface from your users, so hopefully that does address your question.

[JKEngineer]

frofa,
Thanks for your input. I am struggling a little with relating DataPilot / PivotTables to my needs, but will spend more time on it. I am also not clear as to whether it will allow me to provide the user with a simple interface that has the equivalent of push buttons that say “open the entry form” (which I can now do through Writer, since that’s a form) or “neatly report the results of the query on what anniversaries are this month” which is a report and not available outside Base.

[frofa]

JKEngineer, I came across another tutorial on the AOO Forum that also discusses the concept of ‘stand-alone reports’ and suggests a couple of workarounds - see ref. #5 in my list above.