Layout Mode/The Graphical Query Painter
The graphical Query Painter is called when you select the layout mode when defining a quickview and designs the list according to your requirements. The Query Painter is used in SAP Query to construct basic lists.
In layout mode, you can:
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Define output options for lines
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Change the positioning and size of fields
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Create screen templates
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Edit headers, footers, and column headers
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Define control levels
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Sorting
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Create totals lists and so on
The Query Painter is made up of screen divided into four windows whose size may vary according to wish. The individual windows contain
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Those fields at your disposal, organized on the left in tree form
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the list's layout (upper right)
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information about the list element currently selected (lower left)
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links to documentation, as well as any warnings or error messages that occur (lower right)
The window on the upper left-hand side of your screen displays a list of the fields currently at your disposal. For more information, see Selecting List Fields.
List layout is simulated in the upper right-hand part of the screen. Individual fields are represented by field values. Sample data records are read from the data source. If this is not possible, dummy field values are inserted. This layout simulation corresponds to the structure of the list that will be created later. It contains the same fields, headers, colors, totals lines, etc. in the same order they will be displayed. In order to simulate the structure of a multiple-line, hierarchical list, numerous sample data records are read from the database and inserted in the list.
In addition, the layout window contains several Toolbars for changing list layout and attributes.
Many of the elements that appear in the layout window can be moved and changed using drag & drop functionality. Your cursor changes from a pointer to an index finger when positioned on one of these elements. A simple left mouse click frames all moveable objects in blue and you cursor assumes a new shape (move cursor). The cursor then takes on a new shape (a cross). Now you can reposition the element by depressing your left mouse button and dragging it to where a new point in the layout window. When you release the mouse button, your element assumes its new position (if the new position is allowed). Moveable elements include:
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All fields in the list layout
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Toolbars
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Fields appearing in toolbars
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Icons in toolbars
You may also change the width of certain selected elements (windows in the list layout, toolbars) by placing your cursor on the right edge of the element and increasing or decreasing its width with the left mouse button.
If an element is selected in the layout window, information about that element is displayed in the lower left window as soon as the blue frame appears around it in the layout window. With fields, their long text, technical name, and attributes within the list (output line, output position, display length, sort number, etc.) are displayed. You can make changes to these settings/information directly in the window. Any entry you make in this window must be confirmed using the Apply pushbutton.
You may also call a context menu for an element using your right mouse button once that element has been selected in the layout window. This context menu allows you, among other things, to display a list's general settings or the settings of individual list lines that cannot be represented graphically. These settings can also be changed directly by making the appropriate new entry and then choosing Apply.