Property does not exist on this collection instance.

Just a wild guess, but since you're grouping by project id, shouldn't you also resolve that in your call? Meaning:

$item->project_id->client->name

Sadly not the case. I tried a variety of calls and all seem to rely on a function to render the object as a readable array, I added ->first() and got results but only the first item, its a start but I am trying to do the following:

show the total hrs spent on each project for a client between 2 dates.

I am returning some data now using:

ReportsController.php

public function report(Request $request)
    {
        $time = explode(" - ", $request->input('time'));
        $client_id = $request->input('client_id');
        $project_id = $request->input('project_id');
        $start = $this->change_date_format($time[0]);
        $end = $this->change_date_format($time[1]);

        $entries = TimesheetEntry::with('client','project','timesheetTask','timesheet')
            ->where('client_id', $client_id)
            ->whereBetween('timesheet_entries.updated_at', [$start, $end])
            ->get();
        $items = collect($entries)->groupBy('project_id');
        $items->values()->all();

        return view('_modules.admin.reports.report', compact('items','start','end'));

    }

report.blade.php

@foreach($items->flatten() as $item)
       <tr>
              <td>{{ $item->client->name }}</td>
              <td>{{ $item->project->project_name }}</td>
       </tr>
@endforeach

this gives me a list, but I think it may not be an accurate list and doesn't group.

What I don't understand is why you collect a collection... Just use the groupBy on the $entries var. Tomorrow I'll run it in my test env, and tell you if I have the same problem.

do ALL items have client ?

If you are using php7 you should use the null coalesce operator to avoid crashing if you are missing a relation

<td>{{ $item->client->name ?? 'unset'}}</td>
<td>{{ $item->project->project_name ?? 'unset'}}</td>

replace unset with any string

When I try to execute a similar query I get a normal collection of object and can use it directly, without:

$items = collect($entries)->groupBy('project_id');
$items->values()->all();

You can just use your query and finish it with groupBy('project_id')

$entries = TimesheetEntry::with('client','project','timesheetTask','timesheet')
            ->where('client_id', $client_id)
            ->whereBetween('updated_at', [$start, $end])
            ->get()
        ->groupBy('project_id');

Now use the $entries collection to display info in your view.

I would also recommend to use Carbon for your $start, $end vars..

ok so the solution is as follows

ReportsController.php

public function report(Request $request)
    {
        $time = explode(" - ", $request->input('time'));
        $client_id = $request->input('client_id');
        $start = $this->change_date_format($time[0]);
        $end = $this->change_date_format($time[1]);

        $entries = TimesheetEntry::with('client','project','timesheetTask','timesheet')
            ->whereHas('project', function($q) use ($client_id){
                $q->where('client_id', '=', $client_id);
            })
            ->whereBetween('updated_at', [$start, $end])
            ->get();

        $items = $entries;
        return view('_modules.admin.reports.report', compact(
            'items',
            'start',
            'end'
        ));
    }

The reason for not using Carbon on the controller is down to preference and the fact I am using bootstrap datepicker and thats how the tutorial demonstrated it. I like an easy life at times :)

The whereHas method is a new addition as I found the data collection needed a more robust relationship and that meant removing the timesheet_entry/client relationship as it was already defined in the project table.

The interesting thing is that the groupBy('project_id') doesn't work at all, not sure why as its has never returned a grouped item by project_id, even thought it is in the primary timesheet_entries table.

still need a solution to that one!

I am not sure this the 'right way' to do it, but it works none the less

The controller

$time = explode(" - ", $request->input('time'));
        $client_id = $request->input('client_id');
        $start = $this->change_date_format($time[0]);
        $end = $this->change_date_format($time[1]);

            $entries = TimesheetEntry::with('project')
                ->whereHas('project', function($q) use ($client_id){
                    $q->where('client_id', '=', $client_id);
                })
                ->whereBetween('updated_at', [$start, $end])
                ->get()->groupBy('project_id');

            return view('_modules.admin.reports.report', compact(
                'entries',
                'start',
                'end'
            ));

and the view

@foreach($entries as $item)
                    <tr>
                        <td>{{ $item[0]->project->client->name }}</td>
                        <td>{{ $item[0]->project->project_name }}</td>
                        <td>{{ $item->sum('mon_hrs') + $item->sum('tue_hrs') + $item->sum('wed_hrs') + $item->sum('thu_hrs') + $item->sum('fri_hrs') + $item->sum('sat_hrs') + $item->sum('sun_hrs') }}</td>
                    </tr>
 @endforeach

It took some thinking, and lots of research, but then what doesn't.

I think the docs need to include some blade examples of collection rendering as there is very little out there for this subject.

anyway, this is my best shot so far

hi, i need your help. can you help me ?