LIMS - Consolidated Forms

Table of Contents

Purpose

The Consolidated Form Designer is a tool that is used to create a consolidated dataset based on data that exists on other test forms. You can use this tool to bring data from multiple test forms (belonging to the same sample) on one report. Some examples where this may be helpful include:

Consolidating key data points from multiple tests onto one summary report
Consolidating data from multiple tests of the same type and creating a report that brings that data together (i.e. 5 concrete cores are tested on 5 separate forms and the data needs to be averaged and reported together)
Consolidating data from multiple tests of the same type similar to the way a Concrete Cast Cylinder report is generated in MetaField (sample data on the top and a grid of multiple specimens with their lab test data towards the bottom)

The key understanding here is this tool creates a dataset that can be used on a report. It does not create a form that you interact with on the screen like other DIY forms.

Creating a "Consolidated" Test Grid

The report image below shows the end result goal of a "consolidated" test grid. This is an example of how the dataset will take like data from multiple tests (belonging to the same sample) and combining that data in a data grid on a report. Each row in the table on the report is from a different test record / form. Also note the use of calculations on the report to insert an "average" line at the bottom of the table.

Below the report image is the consolidated form setup. A few sample-level fields were placed at the top (Sample Number, Sample Date, Technician). Then a data grid was used to aggregate data from multiple tests into one consolidated table. That table stored the following data: Specimen Number, Test Number, Test Date, Tested By, Width, Height.

Creating the "Consolidated" Data Grid

Click The Add Field button
Select the Consolidated Test Grid tab in the resulting pop up

Field	Purpose
Label	Label for the data grid you are creating Similar to creating a Label for a data grid in the DIY Form Designer
System Name	System Name for the data grid you are creating Will default to your label value without spaces Similar to creating a System Name for a data grid in the DIY Form Designer
Settings - Source Type	Indicates the source of the data for the data grid Select the type of form (Tests or Specimens) that your data is coming from for your data grid

Adding Fields to the "Consolidated" Data Grid

Click the Add Field button within the data grid
Make sure you are on the Form Field tab in the pop up

Field	Purpose
Form Name	Form that your data will come from If the system name of any source form / field changes, manual updates will need to be made to those form references on any consolidated form designs here.
System Name	System Name of the field on the form that you selected above Data Grid, Chart and Logarithmic Chart field types are unable to be consolidated at this time.
Label	Label you want for your data grid field on the consolidated dataset you are creating

Creating a "Summary" Test Grid

The report image below shows the end result goal of a "summary" test grid. This is an example of how the dataset will take identified data points / fields from different tests (belonging to the same sample) and make that data available for reporting. Each "column" in the Tests section of the report shows data from different tests belonging to the same sample.

Below the report image is the summary form setup. A few sample-level fields were placed at the top (Sample Number, Sample Date, Technician). Then a data grid (one for each possible test form) was used to define which fields from each test needed to be summarized.

Creating the "Summary" Data Grid

The use of the word "data grid" in this context may be confusing. You may not be creating an ultimate "grid" that appears on your report, but it ends up being the mechanism used to store the data fields from different tests that you want to have appear on the report.

Click The Add Field button
Select the Consolidated Test Grid tab in the resulting pop up

Field	Purpose
Label	Label for the "data grid" you are creating Similar to creating a Label for a data grid in the DIY Form Designer
System Name	System Name for the "data grid" you are creating Will default to your label value without spaces Similar to creating a System Name for a data grid in the DIY Form Designer
Settings - Source Type	Indicates the source of the data for the data grid Select the type of form (Tests or Specimens) that your data is coming from for your data grid
Settings - Form Name	Indicates the actual test form name for that type of form that your data will come from

Adding Fields to the "Summary" Data Grid

Click the Add Field button within the "data grid"
Make sure you are on the Form Field tab in the pop up

Field	Purpose
Form Name	Form that your data will come from
System Name	System Name of the field on the form that you selected above Data Grid, Chart and Logarithmic Chart field types are unable to be consolidated at this time. Fields contained within sections are not able to be consolidated either, but this will change (be allowed) starting in version 2.14.
Label	Label you want for your "data grid" field on the consolidated dataset you are creating

Using Consolidated Data On Reports

Use the Report Designer button in the form designer to create / edit reports related to the consolidated dataset.

When creating a report based on a consolidated dataset, you can only add fields to the report that are part of that consolidated dataset. In other words, if you need a field on your report, make sure it is part of the consolidated form design. You will not be able to add additional datasets to your report design.