Organize data in a summary table

A summary table presents aggregate data information in a report, providing users with a concise view of the data. The aggregate calculation occurs at the data source level, which enables users to view summary information at a glance, which improves response time and reduces the load on the server. For example, using a summary table from a data source that contains two fields—Worked Hours and Dollar Amount—the user can view the total amount for each status.

Key components of a summary table are dimension columns, measure columns, and attribute columns.

  • Dimension columns group data in other columns. Some examples of dimension columns include employee name, employee ID, and cost center. Dimension columns containing date-and-time data can be grouped in intervals in a summary table.
  • Attribute columns provide additional information about a dimension column. For example, Employment Status or Hire Date can be an attribute of the Employee Name dimension. Each dimension can contain several attribute fields.
  • Measure columns contain the aggregated values that are evaluated. Depending on the type of data in a measure column, specific aggregate functions are available to use on the column. Some examples of measure columns include Total Costs, Total Hours, and Actual Hours.

Design a summary table

When you design a summary table, first evaluate which dimension, attribute, and measure columns you need based on the aggregate data you want to display.

ClosedExample 1

ClosedExample 2

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Create a summary table

You use Table Builder to select the data fields for the summary table, and specify the order of appearance of the selected fields. You can also specify the following information:

  • Group date-and-time dimension columns by an interval.
  • Select one or more aggregate functions to use for the measure columns.
  • Optionally create a filter condition at the data set level on any dimension or attribute column to limit the data displayed in the summary table.

Modify a summary table

Using Reports Studio, you can work with summary tables to format data, organize data in groups, sort data, create filters, and insert charts.

The following table summarizes the actions you can perform on dimension columns, attribute columns, measure columns, each column header, and on the entire table. More detail is in the following sections.

Caution: If you added or removed columns since the last time the report design was edited, you must also select Edit > Refresh.
Action Column Types Column Header Entire Table
Dimension Attribute Measure
Advanced filtering x       x
Advanced sorting     x   x
Create new computed column     x    
Create aggregate data     x    
Create borders       x x
Create data set filters         x
Create filters x x x   x
Create groups x        
Create hyperlinks x x x    
Create page breaks before or after a group x        
Create sections          
Delete a group x x x    
Delete a column x x x    
Disable default hyperlinks         x
Edit column header text       x  
Filter top/bottom N     x    
Format data x x x    
Group date- and time-data in intervals x        
Hide table         x
Hide details for a group x        
Insert a chart   x     x
Reorder columns x x x    
Sort data x x x   x
Specify alignment properties x x x x x
Specify column width x x x    
Specify conditional formatting rules     x    
Specify font properties x x x x x