Using Web Reports
Web reports are the default option to run detailed reports in the system. While you can choose CSV or Excel output, its often quickest when you're exploring data to utilize the web reporting interface. There are also many advantages to the web reporting interface - which include the ability to interact with reports via Drill-Thru capabilities, to view pop-up graphical data, change and update values in the system overall, as well as alter reporting options without having to re-enter all the information. We'll go over these features below to give you examples of how powerful the web reporting can be for you.
Sorting & Filtering – Working With The Header Row
The header row shown above is always in dark blue. There are a number of things you can do with the header row to manipulate the data. The first is sorting. You can sort on any column simply by clicking on the header row column. Many people think you need to click on the small arrows - but these are just to show you whether a column is sorted and if so, which direction. See below:
In the above zoom, you can see that one column has a blue arrow pointing downward. This is to let you know this column is currently the sorted column and is sorted in descending order. The other columns have double arrows in gray to let you know they're not currently actively sorted.
Filtering Columns
Filtering can be accessed by right-clicking on the header column you wish to filter. When you right click, depending on the data type of the column, you'll be presented with one of the context menus allowing you to sort the data.
Numeric Filter:
You can see the above option for numeric values which will provide you with options to sort numbers.
Text Filters:
Text filters have a number of options - either you can do partial text searching and filtering, single matching or as in Excel, you can choose multiple options as shown above.
Filter Results:
Once you've chosen your filter, the rows in the table should filter and the totals should reflect the filtered rows. Additionally you will see above the table a list of current filters. At this point you can sort or continue to filter more values to compound filters. If you wish to remove one filter - just click on the blue link shown above for the relevant filter. If you wish to remove all filters – there is a button "Reset Filters" to remove all current filters.
Click-Thru Reporting
Click thru reporting is available in a number of reports. The easiest way to find a click thru link is to locate the blue links in the report columns. Moving your mouse over them will often preview what data will be visible in a drill thru and this can allow you to quickly investigate data more with more granularity.
Changing Reporting Parameters
One of the nice features of web reporting is also the ability to change the parameters of a report on the fly. Doing so will create a new report with all the other parameters held constant which saves you time in having to re-enter parameters!
To change a parameter, just click on the parameter in the blue box shown above – as you do a pop-up will provide you with options to change for the parameter. Clicking update will run the report with new values in a new browser tab leaving the existing report unchanged.
Managing Visible Columns
Sometimes you may wish to limit the visibility of the columns in a given report. Luckily this is very easy - find the "Column Visibility" button and select or deselect the columns you want to show/hide. Once you've done this, click on "Save Columns" and the preference will be saved and any subsequent runs of this report will only display the desired columns. Should you wish to change the desired visible columns at any time - simply repeat this process.
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