In this step we add the State report parameter to the CustomerListByState report. The purpose of adding report parameters is to allow users to change the specifications for a query directly from the report. To accomplish this, a prompt is added to the report that allows you to display only those customers that reside in the specified state.
To add a new report parameter:
Select the table located on the Layout form, then open the properties dialog box.
Select the appropriate data set name from the DataSetName drop-down listbox (in this tutorial, the Customers data set name is selected).
Select the Layout tab, then select Reports > Report Parameters from the SampleReports menu.
The Report Parameters dialog box displays.
Click Add, then type a name for the new parameter in the name textbox (in this tutorial, the parameter is named States).
Define the properties for the new parameter from the Property section of the Report Parameters dialog box (in this tutorial, the From query option is selected from the Available values, States is selected from the Dataset drop-down listbox, and STATE_CODE is selected from the Value field drop-down listbox.
When you have completed adding parameters and defining their properties, click OK.