There are multiple ways you can create interactive reports over different shapes of data, such as:

  • Select an entry from the data catalog.
  • Use the Report Quick Start button in an application.
  • Enter the name of a table.

Data Catalog

Building an interactive report over a data catalog entry is the most streamlined and easy way for you to create reports. Catalog entries are sorted into Groups, and Sub-Groups, which helps you select the correct data source at the time of report creation.

For example, there are existing data catalog Groups for Distribution and Financials. In the Distribution group, there are Sub-Groups for Inventory and Procurement. In the Financials group, there are Sub-Groups for General Accounting, Payables, and Receivables. 

In the Distribution Group, Inventory Sub-Group, you can select catalog entries for business uses like Item Ledger Transactions (All item ledger transactions). In the Financials Group, Payables Sub-Group, you can select catalog entries for business uses like AP Payments (Supplier Payments). The Item Ledger Transactions data catalog entry is built over a view table which refines the available fields to only those that are useful for that type of interactive report. The AP Payment data catalog entry is built over a table which combines the Payments Header and Payments Detail tables since fields from both tables are required for reports about supplier payments. 

Data catalog entries are shipped, but system administrators can edit or create them. Group and Sub-Groups can also be extended and customized. 

Each data catalog entry consists of a single table, as well as the specified Group, and Sub-Group. 

To create new entries, you must:

  • Determine your table—You can select an existing table, or use a view or join table to refine, or combine, your data sources. Learn more in View tables. 
  • Determine your Group and Sub-Group categories—You can use an existing Group and Sub-Group, or add new entries into the DataCatalogGroup and DataCatalogSubGroup list lookups. 

Report Quick Start

The Report Quick Start form action enables you to create an interactive report out of an application's table data, visualizations, filters, and sorts. The form action is available in the list form of all application types. Once selected, the Interactive Report Builder opens with the data and configuration options from the table you are viewing already imported. You can then edit and add any additional report options you would like. Learn more in Report Quick Start.

Tables

Building an interactive report over a table requires you to understand, and know, how to access the internal name of the required table. Every fields from the table selected becomes available for report creation. 

Data Catalog application

System administrators use the Data Catalog application to define data sources which business users can select from when building an Interactive Report. 

Each data catalog entry consists of a single table. If your report requires multiple sources, or a more refined source, you may need to build a new view or join table. 

Entries are sorted into Groups, and Sub-Groups, which helps users select the correct data source at the time of report creation. For example, there are existing data catalog Groups for Distribution and Financials. In the Distribution group, there are Sub-Groups for Inventory and Procurement. In the Financials group, there are Sub-Groups for General Accounting, Payables, and Receivables. When a user expands the different Sub-Groups, they can view available data catalog entries, and select the source they need for their report. 

In the Distribution Group, Inventory Sub-Group, users can select data sources for business uses like Item Ledger Transactions (All item ledger transactions), or in the Financials Group, Payables Sub-Group, a data source for business uses like AP Payments (Supplier Payments). The Item Ledger Transactions data catalog entry is built over a view table which refines the available fields to only those that are useful for interactive reports. The AP Payment data catalog entry is built over a join table which combines the Payments Header and Payments Detail tables. 

Once a data catalog entry exists, it can be selected in the Interactive Report Builder with the Select a Data SourceSelect a Table button.

Report Quick Start

The Report Quick Start form action enables users to create an interactive report out of an application's table data, visualizations, filters, and sorts. 

The form action is available in the list form of all application types. Once selected, the Interactive Report Builder opens with the data and configuration options from the table you are viewing already imported. You can then edit and add any additional report options you would like. 

For example, if you need to view a report of payments made in a certain month to a specific vendor, you can create filters for the month and vendor in the Payments application, then select the Report Quick Start form action. If you need to make calculations on those payments, you can add aggregate values or calculated columns in the report. 

Learn more about interactive report configuration options in Interactive Report Builder.