Creating an Example Subdataset

The following step-by-step example shows how to use a subdataset to fill a chart using the same connection as the main report, but with a different query.

Create a report:

1. Create a basic report using a blank template, for example, Blank A4, and click Next.
2. Give your report a name, for example, DataSetReport, and click Next.
3. Choose Sample DB - Database JDBC Connection and click Next.

You can create a data adapter separately or click New... to create a data adapter directly from this dialog. Adapters can be created globally (embedded in the workspace) or local to a specific project. Using a local adapter makes it easier to deploy the report to JasperReports Server. See Creating and Editing Data Adapters for more information.
4. Enter the SQL query select count(*) as tot_orders from orders and click Next.
5. Add TOT_ORDERS as a field and click Finish. The report is displayed.
6. Drag the TOT_ORDERS field to the Detail band. If you want, you can remove all bands except the Title, Detail, and Summary bands, and add a static text field to the title band to identify the report.
7. Preview the report.

The resulting main report has a single record containing the total number of orders.

Initial report layout

Create a subdataset:

1. Right-click your report's root node in outline view.
2. Select Create Dataset from the context menu.

The Dataset wizard is displayed.

Creating a new subdataset
3. Enter a name for your dataset. For this tutorial, name it ExampleDataset.
4. For this tutorial, select Create new dataset from a connection or Data Source. This includes a data adapter as part of your dataset definition.

If you select Create an empty dataset, your dataset does not include any data adapter or field information. You will need to configure this information separately for each dataset run.
5. Click Next.
6. Select the data source you want for your dataset and click Next. For this example, select Sample DB.

Data Source page of the Dataset wizard

7. Create a subdataset query and set it to:

select SHIPCOUNTRY, COUNT(*) country_orders from ORDERS group by SHIPCOUNTRY

Then click Next.

8. On the next screen, select all the fields and add them to the dataset, then click Finish.

The fields are registered in the subdataset and appear in outline view.

The subdataset to fill the chart

Create a chart and its dataset run:

1. Now drag the Chart element to the summary band.
2. Select Pie Chart when prompted and click Next.

Chart Wizard
3. In the dataset run section of the Chart Wizard, select the dataset you created, ExampleDataset.
4. Select Use same JDBC connection used to fill the master report from the dropdown menu. This causes the expression to be set automatically to the connection used by the main report ($P{REPORT_CONNECTION}).
5. To force the expression context to update the fields, parameters, and values after the dataset run configuration, close the dialog, then reopen it by double-clicking the chart. If you do not force an update, you will not see the correct fields in the expression editor.
6. Set the chart dataset expressions (the expressions used to fill the chart):
•      Click … next to Series to open the Series dialog. Then select SERIES1 and click … to open the expression editor and enter the following expression:

$F{SHIPCOUNTRY}

Click Finish, then click OK to return to the Chart Wizard. Note that the Key field below the chart updates to show the same value as the series.

•      Click … next to Value to open the expression editor. Enter the following expression:

$$F{COUNTRY_ORDERS}}

Click Finish to return to the Chart Wizard.

You cannot use objects from the master report dataset in a element that uses a subdataset. Only subdataset objects can be used. To use an objects from the master report dataset, you must pass it as a variable or a parameter.

7. Click Finish to apply the expressions and return to the report.
8. When you are done, run the report.

Chart filled using a subdataset