Using the Ad Hoc Editor, you can create reports within JasperReports Server from pre-defined Topics and Domains. You can also create reports outside of JasperReports Server and add them to the repository. To add a report to the repository, you need to have a valid JRXML file. To create and validate this file, you can use iReport Designer. Jaspersoft recommends iReport for most users because its graphical user interface simplifies the job. You can also use a text editor to create the file containing JRXML code if you have a thorough understanding of the JasperReports file structure.
You can add a report to the server’s repository in two ways:
• From within the server
Add a JRXML file and any other resources the report needs as a report unit. A wizard guides you through each step.
• From iReport Designer
Design the report in iReport, and use the JasperReports Server Plug-in to add the JRXML and resources to the repository.
This chapter includes examples of adding a report to the repository using the server’s wizard and the plug-in. The chapter contains the following sections:
• Adding a Simple Report Unit to the Server
• Adding a Complex Report Unit to the Server