8. Preview

All of the information collected from the wizard is used to create a Report Spec XML document.  In order to generate a preview of the report the Report Spec is merged with the template creating a JFreeReport XML flle.  The JFreeReport XML file is then referenced by a Pentaho Action Sequence to generate output.  The output, either PDF, HTML or Excel is displayed in an SWT browser component which allows to preview directly in the wizard PDF, HTML or Excel. 

The preview tab can be detached from the application by double clicking on it.  This will allow you to make changes, hit finish, and instantly see the preview.  You can go through many iterations of report tweaking by doing this.  Once you close the detached preview it will return back to the wizard application.

Using SWT we're able to use an embedded browser with the Adobe Reader plug-in within the wizard.

At this point if you are happy with your report you may save the report-spec definition and edit it at a later time.  Most users will end up publishing their report which is covered in more detail in the next section.

PDF Preview