Creating reports in OpenErp using OpenOffice is the easiest way. Just need to follow simple steps:

1. Download base_report_designer module from the web or https://www.openerp.com/apps.

2. Add to the addons and install the module.

3. Open OpenOffice 3 and create a text document. Go to the Tools menu when you first configure this module in the OpenOffice, and select Extension Manager. Check for openerp_report_designer.zip, if it is there it is okay, else click add and locate the path of the opener_report_designer.zip file, and OpenErp Report Designer Menu is added to OpenOffice.

4. Select Server Paramenters from the OpenErp Report Designer menu. Fill in the details in the pop up box as follows:

Server: localhost

Port: 8069

Protocol Connection: XML-RPC,

and click Next. Choose the database you wish to connect, enter the login name and the password of your database. Click Connect. You can start creating your report now.

5. Select Open a New Report from the OpenErp Report Designer menu, Select the Module for you want to create the report, For example I am selecting Invoice. See file module_selection.png.And click Use Module in Report button.

6. Now click on Add a Loop in OpenErp Report Designer menu and select the object to loop on, you may get the many2many or one2many fields here. See file add_loop.png.

|-.invoice.-| will be added to your document on top left corner. Dont remove it.

7. Now click on Add a Field in the same menu, the field builder will appear, select the fields you need in your report. The fields will get added one by one. So repeat the process. You can make these reports using the rml file too, we will discuss that later.

8. You can decide the format of your report the way you want. Here is mine:

See report.png file.

9. Save the report with .sxw extension and send to the server from Send to the Server in the Openerp Menu, fill in the name of the report and the Rpt. Type as Open Office and click Send Report to Server.

10. In openerp check your report.

Good Luck!