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CONCEPT

Web Reports and Controls

Summary

A published report can include HTML and control metadata so a workbook-backed report can support interaction on the web.

Core Idea

The worksheet remains the report model. Metadata describes rendering and controls; returned control values flow back into worksheet logic.

How It Works

U.INCLUDE_HTML requests HTML output, U.WEB_CONTROL.* functions describe controls, U.WEB_STYLE supplies styling metadata, and U.PARSE_WEB_CONTROL_VALS turns submitted values into worksheet data.

Why It Matters

Separating data, rendering metadata, and interaction state makes the workbook easier to test than embedding all behavior in one publish formula.

In Excel (Runline U)

Keep control definitions in a labeled range and combine their metadata deliberately. Treat incoming control values as external input and validate them before using them in actions or publications.

Common Patterns

  • Publish a read-only HTML report.
  • Add dropdown, checkbox, date, or button controls to a report.
  • Parse submitted values and recalculate or publish an updated result.

Misconceptions

  • U.INCLUDE_HTML does not by itself create an interactive workflow.
  • A web control's metadata and its returned value are different parts of the round trip.