# Floating Patterns and Floating Fields

A floating field pattern in Astera refers to the data points that are scattered throughout the report. The *Floating Pattern* option in Astera allows you to capture each data field no matter the location. With this option you must first specify a pattern in the pattern-matching bar then enable the *Floating Pattern* option. When the *Floating Pattern* option is enabled, it will capture all the lines that match the specified pattern.

## **Floating Fields**

The *Floating Field* option will automatically appear when the *Floating Pattern* option is checked. This option will capture all the misaligned data fields. It is enabled by default, however, you can disable it if you want the field positions to be fixed.

## **Working with Floating Patterns and Floating Fields in Report Models**

To work with floating patterns and floating fields in Astera, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Go to *File > New > Report Model* and provide the path to the report in which you want to apply the floating pattern option. Click *OK*. Source report will open on designer window. Download the sample txt file from [here](https://www.astera.com/Downloads/Misc/2020/07/4-Floating-Patterns.zip).

![](/files/ESN8gQLgef7mvlVrjHWW)

2. Right click on the *Record* node present in the Model Layout panel and click on *Add Data Region.*

![](/files/lKhFmvlHRoStP0kEm7ll)

You will see an orange bar, that is, a pattern-matching *bar* appear along with *Pattern Properties* and *Region Properties* section.

![](/files/Y0HE1yr7PWNQNZeN07zg)

Write pattern in the pattern-matching bar to capture the desired data region in your report. In this case, *ÆÆÆ-ÑÑÑÑ* is specified as the matching pattern. All data regions and data fields except the misaligned ones will be captured.

![](/files/EwT0EYwLo48DsFQrPj0P)

3. Now, check the *Floating Pattern* option in the *Pattern Properties* section. You will see that all the misaligned patterns and fields will be captured.

![](/files/I4h5Wkioi9RU0Sy9pytW)

4. Right click on data that you want to add in your data field and click on *Add Data Field*. This will create a sub-node in the model layout. This sub-node is a data field and contains data that you have selected.

In this example, a sub-node for *ITEM* has been created with all the *ITEM* data being captured.

![](/files/bRQH5miYGNVNJCvlxOzj)

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** The *ITEM* column in the first data field contains null values under *OFFICE CHAIRS.* Astera allows you to use any value from *Value if Null* option in the *Field Properties*. In this case, we have selected the *Use From Previous Record* option.
{% endhint %}

![](/files/xz0AnGWHjwRz54JECqkJ)

5. Repeat these steps to create other fields.

![](/files/laNc6F2oNQUxovqFS5iY)

6. You can now preview your data by clicking on *Preview Data* ![](/files/FiunboOhZO85icRetlsA) option in toolbar.

![](/files/krjiGBKYpDcGdg6FOl8B)


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://documentation.astera.com/astera-data-stack-v7/report-model/use-cases/floating-patterns-and-floating-fields.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.