Options for each element in the report can be modified according to that part. Text, columns, computed fields, bands, graphs, and the report itself all have property sheets that can be modified.

You can globally edit the properties of all your report elements by using the Properties option on the View menu. Access the DataWindow Object window either through the main menu (select View and click on Properties), or click on the Properties icon on the toolbar.

In addition to globally setting/modifying report properties, you can change the properties of fields individually. Position the mouse over the report element you want to modify. Right click to display the pop up menu and select Properties. Click the various tabs to view the each property page. Pick the properties you want to change. Tabs visible in the properties sheet are determined by the report type. Some properties apply to the report as a whole.

• In the General Tab, it is important to set units to pixels or inches. The Powerbuilder unit default is PowerBuilder units but Questor-authored Argus reports are written in pixels. Questor recommends setting units to pixels, but the average Argus user may prefer to work in inches. Use the unit you feel most comfortable working with. In a column field, you can see the column name, tag name, and give the column a display label or other text of your choice. You can hide or the column field or make it visible. You can set border and alignment options.

• The Position Tab gives us placement options for our fields. Autosize height is a toggle on/off; option to have report boxes automatically adjust their height to the size of the data in the field. A slide box gives options to slide all above, slide directly above, or slide left. This is an important feature for shoring up empty spaces in reports when data for a specific field is unavailable in a given record. Slide above options are combined in a drop down menu while Slide Left toggles on/off. The Position Tab allows you to set units in pixels (currently all standard reports are written in pixels). It also houses slide options, resizable, autoheight, and moveable options. It is a place to set the size of the box.

• The Print Specifications Tab includes space for the report name. You can also select the paper orientation and size, but Questor recommends setting your margins elsewhere. Margins set in this tab often print unreliably. Presumably, Questor has already set the margins for you on standard reports you will modify. As you create new reports from scratch, you can use the on screen ruler and grid features available in the Design menu to position report elements exactly where you want them to appear, in effect, setting more reliable margins. As a rule of thumb, work with your the Show Ruler Show Grid, and Snap to Grid check boxes selected in the Design menu. On a page with portrait orientation, position the left edge of report elements on extreme left side of the page no further left than the 3/4-1 inch mark on the ruler. The right edge of report elements placed on the extreme right side of the page should line up with the 7 1/2 inch mark Don't check the prompt before printing box. Do not use the Suppress Print After First Newspaper Column toggle.

• The Font Tab includes all the usual font suspects . You can opt to have a different font, text color, or background color from that field via the Font tab.

• The Pointer Tab is a programming concern and need not worry Argus Users. It decides what the user's cursor will look like.

• The Edit Tab The Edit tab is a programming feature used primarily for setting up interactive data entry windows. Argus users are unlikely to use this tab at any point in the near future.

• The Format Tab In fields with certain types of data, such as currency or date, formatting options can be selected via this tab. For example, if you data entered your appraisal values in Argus as numerals without "$" or "," you can format the field to display both in proper order.

• The Expression Tab will be used in defining report fields later.

• The Generation Tab is also a programming tool.