Star Custom Report Writer

Importance of the topic

Customizable report generation is critical in modern analytical laboratories. It enables high‐quality, consistent presentation of chromatographic results, streamlines quality control workflows, and facilitates regulatory compliance by embedding audit and instrument logs directly into reports.

Objectives and overview

This manual describes the Star Custom Report Writer Version 6, a software tool bundled with the Star Chromatography Workstation (now Agilent legacy). It guides users through installation, template creation, interactive viewing, print automation, and integration with System Control methods.

Methodology and instrumentation

• Software prerequisites: Star Workstation and Star Custom Report Writer installers from CD.
• On-line help and release notes for up-to-date reference.
• Sample and demonstration templates for analysis, calibration and verification.
• Instrument integration: real-time data from ProStar/Dynamax HPLC, Agilent detectors and modules.
• Data handling via System Control with AutoLink DDE for automated report printing.

Main features and discussion

• Template design: drag-and-drop report objects (chromatograms, tables, text, graphics, OLE containers, borders) onto pages and headers/footers.
• Flexible layout: reposition, resize, rotate and align fields; clear backgrounds for overlays; column rearrangement and overflow pagination.
• Object properties: customize fonts, colors, borders, scaling, annotations, fixed or dynamic data sources, multi-channel and reference file comparisons.
• Interactive preview and print: zoom, multi-page navigation, print preview with overflow handling, printer settings for graphics output.
• Integration with methods: add Star Report Writer sections in the Method Builder to assign templates per detector channel and run type (analysis, calibration, verification). Lock templates with passwords for version control.
• Automation: automatic report generation after injections, recalculations or print actions in System Control; options to suppress prints or disable overflow printing.

Benefits and practical applications

Users gain full control over report content and appearance, reducing trial-and-error. Publication-quality documents can embed audit trails, system logs, and sample preparation details. Multi-channel and comparative analyses enhance data interpretation, while automated printing streamlines high-throughput workflows.

Future trends and possibilities

Although this legacy manual is no longer updated, future developments may include cloud-based templates, integration with LIMS and ELN platforms, real-time data streaming to web dashboards, and AI-driven formatting suggestions to further accelerate analytical reporting.

Conclusion

Star Custom Report Writer offers an advanced, flexible solution for generating tailored chromatographic reports within the Agilent ecosystem. By mastering template design and method integration, laboratories can achieve consistent, efficient, and high-quality reporting.

Reference

• Varian, Inc. Star Custom Report Writer Version 6 Operation Manual (2002). Acquired by Agilent Technologies, May 2010.