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I'm looking for a program to create and store custom reports. What I want to be able to do is build a report by adding fields for end users to fill out and then have the program create the appropriate database (or update the appropriate database table rows). So, just a simple report that can be created entirely by an end user from the front end.

Thanks in advance

Edit Just to clarify, the program must

  1. Generate a data entry form
  2. Create some sort of data structure to store the information from the form
  3. Create a report that displays the form data
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We are going to need a lot more information. What database server are you using for starters? – Skaughty Mar 22 '10 at 17:36
Are you sure, that the report builder should create the database/database rows? Generally, the first tool that I'm thinking of, when hearing the word 'report' is BIRT eclipse.org/birt – Chris Lercher Mar 22 '10 at 17:40
Isn't this what Crystal Reports does? – Joe Internet Mar 22 '10 at 18:34
@Joe: It certainly does, but it has a "nice" price tag (about EUR 2000 for a developer advantage runtime license)... since BIRT is open source, I'd check it out first. – Chris Lercher Mar 22 '10 at 18:51
A "reporting" product isn't typically also going to help you create data-entry forms, which it sounds like you're also asking for when you say "have the program create the appropriate database (or update the appropriate database table rows)." - So, are you looking for a report generator, or a data-entry form generator, or both? – mfinni Mar 22 '10 at 20:38
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3 Answers

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Well, since the users will need to "fill out" and you didn't narrowed your need, I understand that you can use even a CMS like Drupal.

With Drupal (and some modules like webform, cck, views) users will be able build their on questionnaires, collect data, and then export it if it's necessary.

By doing it this way, we'll not need to deal with "database stuff". It will manage it for you.

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As I mentioned above, now that the poster has clarified his needs, something like this is probably what's called for. – mfinni Mar 24 '10 at 17:43
hmm...this seems like it could be something along the lines of what I was looking for. I will try it out in more detail. Thanks. – user19189 Mar 30 '10 at 11:50
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Sounds perhaps a bit like something you could twist limesurvey to do.

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It’s really powerful, flexible Mac database: FileMaker. The Pros have it - evaluation from www.filemaker.com.

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FileMaker is not restricted to Macs. – John Gardeniers Nov 8 '11 at 1:36
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Nor is FileMaker "really powerful". I'd rank it up there with MS Access, enough features that people who don't know what they're doing commonly abuse it and create unmaintainable nightmares. – Chris S♦ Nov 8 '11 at 3:54

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