generate report from database using .xsl style sheet

[msears]

I am trying to view test result histories for specific uut serial numbers.
We are logging all test data to the default access database template that was provided with Teststand.

Is there a method of generating reports from the database that match the format of those generated at runtime?

I was surprised to find that the default access database did not contain any gui or pre-made reports matching the xsl style sheets chosen in the report options dialog.


My database skills are weak, I am able to browse the raw data and I see the relationships between some of the tables, but the prospect of recreating one of the xml report formats in access seems daunting. Am I missing something? what is the best way to print a uut report from test data stored in access?

[paulmw]

I have the exact same question.

I was thinking that if you could re-generate the result list from the database you could re-run it through the report generator sequences.  Has anybody done this before?  We see this as a usefull tool as not to maintain a copy of the HTML or XML report but just generate one when needed.

[Chris_G.]

Hello msears,

Thank you for posting on the NI Discussion Forums.  Unfortunately there are no tools available in TestStand for directly converting an Access database to a formatted .xsl report.  It is possible to have a step in a sequence that reads the information from the database, and create the .xsl report as if it had been generated at sequence run-time, by writing those values directly to Locals.ResultList.  Admittedly, this would require some knowledge of Microsoft Access, and the ability to write a program that will extract information from the database, in order to include it as a step in the sequence.

Is there anything stopping you from creating a formatted .xsl report when the sequence is run (instead of trying to create it from previous data stored in an Access database)?

[msears]

<<Is there anything stopping you from creating a formatted .xsl report when the sequence is run (instead of trying to create it from previous data stored in an Access database)?>>

The primary thing stopping me is that the database has historical data that I need to access. 

Changing the run options on sequences that have already been deployed is a non trivial procedure.  I'm also not excited about trying to manage the data transmission of a million little report files.  From a data security standpoint working with Data in the database seems like the obvious choice.

[Chris_G.]

I understand what you are saying.  Unfortunately there is no built-in feature of TestStand that will do this for you.  If you would like to see such functionality in future versions of TestStand, we welcome product suggestions at our Product Suggestion Center page.  Thanks for the feedback!

[Scott_Richardson]

To msears -
I have noted this feature request directly in the TestStand group so that we can try to address this in the future. Thank you for letting us know about your need.

[Shako]

Is there any update on this feature?

Has someone created a sequence to Generate a Test Report ?

[TaylorG]

Hi Shako,

I hope you are doing well today!  You can use the Database Viewer to view a database from within TestStand by going to Tools»Database Viewer... and then opening your database.  At this time, there is not a tool that ships with TestStand that will automatically generate a report from previous data stored in a database.  However, as is mentioned above, you could write your own sequence to access the data you want to pull from the database and then create the report.  Also, be sure to post this on the NI TestStand Idea Exchange for other forum users and our R&D department to see and give Kudos!  Thanks, Shako.  Have a great day!

[Shako]

Thanks for the reply.

Im surprised that no one has done this before and that the is nothing under the idea exchange.

I would of thought that recalling reports out of the database would be a first priority thing, well lets hope they do somthing about it soon.

I am busy trying to create a sequence to this and i did post an idea.

Have a great day!