COBOL Tutorial

COBOL REPORT Clause - Quick Reference

Progress0 of 0 lessons

Overview

The REPORT clause is used in COBOL's Report Writer feature to define report specifications. It enables automated report generation with consistent formatting, pagination, and calculations.

Purpose and Usage

Report definition - Define report structure and characteristics
Automated formatting - Generate formatted reports automatically
Consistent output - Ensure uniform report appearance
Pagination control - Manage page breaks and headers
Calculation support - Handle totals and subtotals

Report Writer Concept

REPORT Clause → [Report Groups] → [Report Writer Verbs] → Formatted Output

Automatic: Pagination, Totals, Formatting, Headers, Footers

Reduces manual coding for standard business reports

REPORT clause defines specifications for automated report generation.

Syntax

The REPORT clause follows specific syntax patterns within the REPORTS SECTION and can include various report specifications.

Basic Syntax

cobol

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
* Basic REPORT clause syntax
REPORTS SECTION.
RD report-name
    [IS GLOBAL]
    [PAGE LIMIT IS integer LINES]
    [HEADING integer]
    [FIRST DETAIL integer]
    [LAST DETAIL integer]
    [FOOTING integer]
    [CODE "literal"].
 
* Complete example
REPORTS SECTION.
RD SALES-REPORT
    PAGE LIMIT IS 60 LINES
    HEADING 1
    FIRST DETAIL 5
    LAST DETAIL 55
    FOOTING 58
    CODE "SR".
 
* With global specification
RD INVENTORY-REPORT IS GLOBAL
    PAGE LIMIT IS 66 LINES
    HEADING 2
    FIRST DETAIL 8
    LAST DETAIL 60
    FOOTING 64.
 
* Multiple reports
RD DAILY-REPORT
    PAGE LIMIT IS 50 LINES
    HEADING 1
    FIRST DETAIL 4
    LAST DETAIL 45
    FOOTING 48.
 
RD MONTHLY-REPORT
    PAGE LIMIT IS 80 LINES
    HEADING 3
    FIRST DETAIL 10
    LAST DETAIL 70
    FOOTING 75.

REPORT clause defines the structure and formatting parameters for reports.

REPORT vs File Processing Comparison

Aspect	REPORT	File Processing
Formatting	Automatic	Manual coding
Pagination	Built-in	Manual control
Totals	Automatic	Manual calculation
Flexibility	Standardized	Highly flexible
Development time	Faster	Slower

Report Parameters

cobol

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
* PAGE LIMIT - Total lines per page
RD REPORT-1 PAGE LIMIT IS 60 LINES
 
* HEADING - Line number for page headers
RD REPORT-2 HEADING 1
 
* FIRST DETAIL - First line for detail records
RD REPORT-3 FIRST DETAIL 5
 
* LAST DETAIL - Last line for detail records
RD REPORT-4 LAST DETAIL 55
 
* FOOTING - Line number for page footers
RD REPORT-5 FOOTING 58
 
* CODE - Report identification code
RD REPORT-6 CODE "RPT"
 
* GLOBAL - Report available to subprograms
RD REPORT-7 IS GLOBAL
 
* Combined parameters
RD COMPLETE-REPORT
    PAGE LIMIT IS 66 LINES
    HEADING 1
    FIRST DETAIL 5
    LAST DETAIL 60
    FOOTING 64
    CODE "CR"
    IS GLOBAL

Different parameters control various aspects of report formatting.

Practical Examples

These examples demonstrate how to use the REPORT clause effectively in different report generation scenarios.

Sales Report Definition

cobol

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. SALES-REPORT-GEN.
 
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.
INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION.
FILE-CONTROL.
    SELECT SALES-FILE ASSIGN TO "SALES.DAT"
        ORGANIZATION IS SEQUENTIAL.
    SELECT REPORT-FILE ASSIGN TO "SALES-REPORT.OUT"
        ORGANIZATION IS SEQUENTIAL.
 
DATA DIVISION.
FILE SECTION.
FD  SALES-FILE.
01  SALES-RECORD.
    05  SALES-DATE       PIC 9(8).
    05  SALES-AMOUNT     PIC 9(7)V99.
    05  SALES-REGION     PIC X(10).
    05  SALES-PRODUCT    PIC X(20).
 
FD  REPORT-FILE.
 
REPORTS SECTION.
RD SALES-REPORT
    PAGE LIMIT IS 60 LINES
    HEADING 1
    FIRST DETAIL 5
    LAST DETAIL 55
    FOOTING 58
    CODE "SR".
 
* Report groups follow the RD
01  REPORT-HEADING TYPE IS REPORT HEADING.
    05  LINE 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(20) VALUE "SALES REPORT".
        10  COLUMN 40   PIC X(10) VALUE "DATE: ".
        10  COLUMN 50   PIC 9(8) SOURCE CURRENT-DATE.
    05  LINE 2.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(20) VALUE "REGION".
        10  COLUMN 15   PIC X(20) VALUE "PRODUCT".
        10  COLUMN 40   PIC X(10) VALUE "AMOUNT".
 
01  DETAIL-LINE TYPE IS DETAIL.
    05  LINE PLUS 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(10) SOURCE SALES-REGION.
        10  COLUMN 15   PIC X(20) SOURCE SALES-PRODUCT.
        10  COLUMN 40   PIC 9(7)V99 SOURCE SALES-AMOUNT.
 
01  REPORT-FOOTING TYPE IS REPORT FOOTING.
    05  LINE 58.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(20) VALUE "END OF REPORT".
 
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01  CURRENT-DATE       PIC 9(8).
 
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
MAIN-PROCESS.
    OPEN INPUT SALES-FILE
    OPEN OUTPUT REPORT-FILE
    
    INITIATE SALES-REPORT
    
    PERFORM UNTIL END-OF-FILE
        READ SALES-FILE
           AT END
              MOVE "Y" TO EOF-FLAG
           NOT AT END
              GENERATE DETAIL-LINE
        END-READ
    END-PERFORM
    
    TERMINATE SALES-REPORT
    
    CLOSE SALES-FILE
    CLOSE REPORT-FILE
    STOP RUN.

REPORT clause defines the structure for automated sales report generation.

Inventory Report with Totals

cobol

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
* Inventory report with automatic totals
REPORTS SECTION.
RD INVENTORY-REPORT
    PAGE LIMIT IS 66 LINES
    HEADING 1
    FIRST DETAIL 5
    LAST DETAIL 60
    FOOTING 64
    CODE "INV".
 
01  PAGE-HEADER TYPE IS PAGE HEADING.
    05  LINE 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(30) VALUE "INVENTORY STATUS REPORT".
        10  COLUMN 50   PIC X(10) VALUE "PAGE: ".
        10  COLUMN 60   PIC ZZZ9 SOURCE PAGE-COUNTER.
    05  LINE 3.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(10) VALUE "ITEM CODE".
        10  COLUMN 15   PIC X(20) VALUE "DESCRIPTION".
        10  COLUMN 40   PIC X(10) VALUE "QUANTITY".
        10  COLUMN 55   PIC X(10) VALUE "VALUE".
 
01  DETAIL-LINE TYPE IS DETAIL.
    05  LINE PLUS 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(10) SOURCE ITEM-CODE.
        10  COLUMN 15   PIC X(20) SOURCE ITEM-DESC.
        10  COLUMN 40   PIC 9(5) SOURCE ITEM-QTY.
        10  COLUMN 55   PIC 9(7)V99 SOURCE ITEM-VALUE.
 
01  CONTROL-FOOTING TYPE IS CONTROL FOOTING CATEGORY.
    05  LINE PLUS 2.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(15) VALUE "CATEGORY TOTAL:".
        10  COLUMN 40   PIC 9(5) SUM ITEM-QTY.
        10  COLUMN 55   PIC 9(7)V99 SUM ITEM-VALUE.
 
01  REPORT-FOOTING TYPE IS REPORT FOOTING.
    05  LINE 64.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(15) VALUE "GRAND TOTAL:".
        10  COLUMN 40   PIC 9(5) SUM ITEM-QTY.
        10  COLUMN 55   PIC 9(7)V99 SUM ITEM-VALUE.
 
* Data structure for inventory records
01  INVENTORY-RECORD.
    05  ITEM-CODE       PIC X(10).
    05  ITEM-DESC       PIC X(20).
    05  ITEM-QTY        PIC 9(5).
    05  ITEM-VALUE      PIC 9(7)V99.
    05  ITEM-CATEGORY   PIC X(10).
 
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
GENERATE-INVENTORY-REPORT.
    INITIATE INVENTORY-REPORT
    
    PERFORM UNTIL END-OF-FILE
        READ INVENTORY-FILE
           AT END
              MOVE "Y" TO EOF-FLAG
           NOT AT END
              GENERATE DETAIL-LINE
        END-READ
    END-PERFORM
    
    TERMINATE INVENTORY-REPORT.

REPORT clause enables automatic totals and subtotals in inventory reports.

Financial Statement Report

cobol

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
* Financial statement with multiple sections
REPORTS SECTION.
RD FINANCIAL-REPORT
    PAGE LIMIT IS 80 LINES
    HEADING 3
    FIRST DETAIL 8
    LAST DETAIL 70
    FOOTING 75
    CODE "FIN".
 
01  REPORT-HEADING TYPE IS REPORT HEADING.
    05  LINE 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(40) VALUE "FINANCIAL STATEMENT".
        10  COLUMN 50   PIC X(10) VALUE "PERIOD: ".
        10  COLUMN 60   PIC 9(8) SOURCE REPORT-PERIOD.
    05  LINE 3.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(30) VALUE "ACCOUNT".
        10  COLUMN 35   PIC X(20) VALUE "DESCRIPTION".
        10  COLUMN 60   PIC X(15) VALUE "AMOUNT".
 
01  ASSETS-HEADING TYPE IS CONTROL HEADING ASSET-TYPE.
    05  LINE PLUS 2.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(20) VALUE "ASSETS".
 
01  ASSET-DETAIL TYPE IS DETAIL.
    05  LINE PLUS 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(10) SOURCE ACCOUNT-NUM.
        10  COLUMN 15   PIC X(20) SOURCE ACCOUNT-DESC.
        10  COLUMN 40   PIC 9(10)V99 SOURCE ACCOUNT-AMOUNT.
 
01  ASSET-TOTAL TYPE IS CONTROL FOOTING ASSET-TYPE.
    05  LINE PLUS 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(15) VALUE "TOTAL ASSETS:".
        10  COLUMN 40   PIC 9(10)V99 SUM ACCOUNT-AMOUNT.
 
01  LIABILITIES-HEADING TYPE IS CONTROL HEADING LIABILITY-TYPE.
    05  LINE PLUS 2.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(25) VALUE "LIABILITIES".
 
01  LIABILITY-DETAIL TYPE IS DETAIL.
    05  LINE PLUS 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(10) SOURCE ACCOUNT-NUM.
        10  COLUMN 15   PIC X(20) SOURCE ACCOUNT-DESC.
        10  COLUMN 40   PIC 9(10)V99 SOURCE ACCOUNT-AMOUNT.
 
01  LIABILITY-TOTAL TYPE IS CONTROL FOOTING LIABILITY-TYPE.
    05  LINE PLUS 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(20) VALUE "TOTAL LIABILITIES:".
        10  COLUMN 40   PIC 9(10)V99 SUM ACCOUNT-AMOUNT.
 
01  REPORT-FOOTING TYPE IS REPORT FOOTING.
    05  LINE 75.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(20) VALUE "NET WORTH:".
        10  COLUMN 40   PIC 9(10)V99 SOURCE NET-WORTH.
 
* Financial data structure
01  FINANCIAL-RECORD.
    05  ACCOUNT-NUM      PIC X(10).
    05  ACCOUNT-DESC     PIC X(20).
    05  ACCOUNT-AMOUNT   PIC 9(10)V99.
    05  ACCOUNT-TYPE     PIC X(1).
        88  ASSET-TYPE     VALUE "A".
        88  LIABILITY-TYPE VALUE "L".
 
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01  REPORT-PERIOD       PIC 9(8).
01  NET-WORTH           PIC 9(10)V99.
 
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
GENERATE-FINANCIAL-REPORT.
    INITIATE FINANCIAL-REPORT
    
    PERFORM UNTIL END-OF-FILE
        READ FINANCIAL-FILE
           AT END
              MOVE "Y" TO EOF-FLAG
           NOT AT END
              GENERATE ASSET-DETAIL
              GENERATE LIABILITY-DETAIL
        END-READ
    END-PERFORM
    
    TERMINATE FINANCIAL-REPORT.

REPORT clause supports complex financial reports with multiple sections.

Multi-Report Program

cobol

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
* Program with multiple reports
REPORTS SECTION.
RD DAILY-REPORT
    PAGE LIMIT IS 50 LINES
    HEADING 1
    FIRST DETAIL 4
    LAST DETAIL 45
    FOOTING 48
    CODE "DLY".
 
RD MONTHLY-REPORT
    PAGE LIMIT IS 80 LINES
    HEADING 3
    FIRST DETAIL 8
    LAST DETAIL 70
    FOOTING 75
    CODE "MTH".
 
RD SUMMARY-REPORT
    PAGE LIMIT IS 40 LINES
    HEADING 2
    FIRST DETAIL 5
    LAST DETAIL 35
    FOOTING 38
    CODE "SUM".
 
* Daily report groups
01  DAILY-HEADER TYPE IS REPORT HEADING.
    05  LINE 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(20) VALUE "DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT".
 
01  DAILY-DETAIL TYPE IS DETAIL.
    05  LINE PLUS 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(10) SOURCE ACTIVITY-DATE.
        10  COLUMN 15   PIC X(20) SOURCE ACTIVITY-DESC.
        10  COLUMN 40   PIC 9(7)V99 SOURCE ACTIVITY-AMOUNT.
 
* Monthly report groups
01  MONTHLY-HEADER TYPE IS REPORT HEADING.
    05  LINE 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(25) VALUE "MONTHLY SUMMARY REPORT".
 
01  MONTHLY-DETAIL TYPE IS DETAIL.
    05  LINE PLUS 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(10) SOURCE MONTH-YEAR.
        10  COLUMN 15   PIC X(15) SOURCE CATEGORY.
        10  COLUMN 35   PIC 9(10)V99 SOURCE MONTHLY-TOTAL.
 
* Summary report groups
01  SUMMARY-HEADER TYPE IS REPORT HEADING.
    05  LINE 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(20) VALUE "ANNUAL SUMMARY REPORT".
 
01  SUMMARY-DETAIL TYPE IS DETAIL.
    05  LINE PLUS 1.
        10  COLUMN 1    PIC X(10) SOURCE YEAR.
        10  COLUMN 15   PIC X(15) SOURCE ANNUAL-TOTAL.
 
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
GENERATE-ALL-REPORTS.
    * Generate daily report
    INITIATE DAILY-REPORT
    PERFORM GENERATE-DAILY-REPORT
    TERMINATE DAILY-REPORT
    
    * Generate monthly report
    INITIATE MONTHLY-REPORT
    PERFORM GENERATE-MONTHLY-REPORT
    TERMINATE MONTHLY-REPORT
    
    * Generate summary report
    INITIATE SUMMARY-REPORT
    PERFORM GENERATE-SUMMARY-REPORT
    TERMINATE SUMMARY-REPORT.

Multiple REPORT clauses enable different report types in a single program.

Best Practices and Tips

Following these best practices ensures effective use of the REPORT clause in COBOL applications.

REPORT Best Practices

Use meaningful report names - Choose descriptive report identifiers
Set appropriate page limits - Consider printer and display constraints
Plan line spacing carefully - Allocate space for headers and footers
Use consistent formatting - Maintain uniform report appearance
Test with various data - Verify formatting with different record counts
Document report specifications - Clearly document report requirements

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Pitfall	Problem	Solution
Insufficient page space	Content overflow	Increase page limits
Poor line allocation	Formatting issues	Plan line spacing carefully
Missing report groups	Incomplete reports	Define all necessary groups
Incorrect file association	Output errors	Verify file definitions
Complex report logic	Maintenance difficulties	Keep reports simple

Performance Considerations

Efficient formatting - Report Writer optimizes output generation
Automatic calculations - Built-in totals reduce processing overhead
Memory usage - Report Writer manages memory efficiently
I/O optimization - Buffered output improves performance
Compiler optimization - Modern compilers optimize Report Writer code

When to Use REPORT vs Manual Processing

Scenario	Use REPORT	Use Manual Processing
Standard business reports	Yes	No
Complex custom formatting	No	Yes
Automatic totals	Yes	No
Rapid development	Yes	No
Non-standard output	No	Yes

REPORT Clause Quick Reference

Parameter	Syntax	Purpose
Basic report	RD report-name	Define report structure
Page limit	PAGE LIMIT IS n LINES	Set page size
Heading	HEADING n	Set header line
Detail range	FIRST DETAIL n LAST DETAIL n	Set detail area
Footing	FOOTING n	Set footer line
Code	CODE "literal"	Set report identifier
Global	IS GLOBAL	Make available to subprograms

COBOL Tutorial

COBOL REPORT Clause - Quick Reference

Overview

Purpose and Usage

Report Writer Concept

Syntax

Basic Syntax

REPORT vs File Processing Comparison

Report Parameters

Practical Examples

Sales Report Definition

Inventory Report with Totals

Financial Statement Report

Multi-Report Program

Best Practices and Tips

REPORT Best Practices

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Performance Considerations

When to Use REPORT vs Manual Processing

REPORT Clause Quick Reference

Test Your Knowledge

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Concepts

Report Writer

INITIATE Statement

GENERATE Statement

TERMINATE Statement

File Processing

Related Pages

COBOL Tutorial

COBOL REPORT Clause - Quick Reference

Overview

Purpose and Usage

Report Writer Concept

Syntax

Basic Syntax

REPORT vs File Processing Comparison

Report Parameters

Practical Examples

Sales Report Definition

Inventory Report with Totals

Financial Statement Report

Multi-Report Program

Best Practices and Tips

REPORT Best Practices

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Performance Considerations

When to Use REPORT vs Manual Processing

REPORT Clause Quick Reference

Test Your Knowledge

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between REPORT and regular file processing in COBOL?

How does the REPORT clause affect report generation and formatting?

Can you use REPORT with all types of output files in COBOL?

What are some common use cases for the REPORT clause?

How do you handle errors and debugging when using the REPORT clause?

Related Concepts

Report Writer

INITIATE Statement

GENERATE Statement

TERMINATE Statement

File Processing

Related Pages