Report Template extension multiple lines per record

[ñull]

We are exploring the features of CiviCRM in preparation of a project. If you have experience with Report Template extensions, could you tell me how flexible this template system is, if it is possible to create reports that abandone table lay-out and combine organisation, relationship volunteer contact information, displaying contact fields in multiple lines per record?

Our traditional contact directory is organised around relations, grouped in organisations and sub-grouped in families, displaying both organization and family member contact details details. Is the extension / template system flexible enough for this?

Before we would promise that full replication of this old directory will be possible, we first would like to know how difficult this is for a medium level PHP programmer and a beginning CiviCRM implementer.

[Erik Hommel]

The reporting template is flexible enough to allow any kind of reports, but you do need to work your way through the parent class and all its methods. I would recommend getting some guidance from an experienced CiviCRM developer initially.

One question comes to my mind after reading your description: if you want to fully replicate the traditional contact directory, why are you moving to a new system?

[ñull]

Thank you for your advice.

if you want to fully replicate the traditional contact directory, why are you moving to a new system?

Imagine a rather large organisation that miraculously seems to bring together different cultures, traditions and generations, where leadership attempts to be serving, not imposing. There you will see  tradition co-existing with the modern.

[JohnFF]

Hi ñull,

There is a general question in my mind about it may be easier to develop a custom extension that does the functionality rather than using the reporting system.

Just a thought