Reporting on Tags

You can generate many different variations of reports on tags. The reports can contain information about graphical element attributes as well as tags. Report output from MicroStation is in the form of line-separated, comma-delimited ASCII text files called report files that can be formatted and printed using a text editor or word processor.

General Procedure — To generate report files

1. Generate tag report template files, each of which specifies a single tag set and some or all of its member tags (plus graphical element attributes) on which to report. See To generate a tag report template file.


2. Distinguish the elements to be reported. See To distinguish the elements to be reported.


3. Select each tag report template file on which you want to base a report, and generate the report files. See To generate report files.



A report file is simply a text file, so you can use any text editor or word processor to format the report data and print the formatted report. Also you can import a report file into some spreadsheets and database managers.

To generate a tag report template file

1. From the Element menu's Tags submenu, choose Generate Templates.
   The Generate Templates dialog box opens.


2. In the Tag Sets list box, select the set that contains the tags on which you want to report.


3. In the Tags list box, select a tag (or graphical element attribute) on which you want to report. (Graphical element attributes and properties are preceded by the “$” character.)


4. Click Add.
   The tag is added to the Report Columns list box.


5. Repeat steps 3-4 for each additional tag (or graphical element attribute) on which you want to report.


6. (Optional) To specify that elements will be reported regardless of whether they have tags attached, turn on All Elements in the Report On menu.


7. In the Report File Name field, key in the name of the report file that will be generated when the template file is used.


8. From the dialog box's File menu, choose Save As.
   The Save Template As dialog box opens.


9. In the Name field, key in the desired filename.


10. (Optional) To change the destination directory, use the Directories list box.


11. Click OK.

The filename specified in step 7 is saved with the tag set in the design file and appears in the Report File Name field when the tag set is selected in the Generate Templates dialog box. The template file itself can be used with any design file in which the tag set is defined.

The columns in the report file output are in the same order as specified in the Report Columns list.

To distinguish the elements to be reported

1. Place the fence to group the elements with the Place Fence tool. See Using the Fence to Manipulate and Modify Elements.
   or
   Select the elements with the Element Selection tool. See Selecting Elements.

To generate report files

1. From the Element menu's Tags submenu, choose Generate Reports.
   The Generate Reports dialog box opens.


2. In the Files list box, select a template on which you want to base a report.


3. Click Add.
   The template is added to the Templates for Reports list box.


4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each additional template on which you want to base a report.


5. Click Done.