Irked at making reports that would fit into a pre-defined format

[dee-u]

I am assuming almost (if not all) programmers here has experienced making reports that would fit into a pre-defined format, I am really irked since I have to do lots of them, what are your usual ways to make this part easier for the developer?

[si_the_geek]

Ask if it is ok if things are moved slightly around the page (by a few pixels say), as it can save hours of headaches trying to get things lined up perfectly to the "template" document.

Also make sure you get a written specification which mentions this, and any other formatting issues that may come up. If you aren't sure about something that isn't specified, make a decision and (before making the report live) ask the requestor for written confirmation that your assumptions/decisions are ok.

I know that sounds a bit over the top, but I would have lost my job about 5 years ago if I hadn't done that - we agreed that a particular number should be shown to 4dp's but rounded to 2; later this turned out to be wrong, at a very large cost to the company. As I could prove that I had "followed orders" I was ok (and so was the other guy, he was too important to lose!).