Create or Edit Report (EAR or Cross-Publication EAR)

Descriptions below apply to both Enterprise Analytics Reporting and Cross-Publication Enterprise Analytics Reporting, except where noted.

Create a new report

From the menu page, a new report may be started in two ways:

Click the Create Report link on the menu page to open a blank report design page OR
Click the Design (pencil) icon for an existing report to open the definition page for that report and follow the steps below to edit or copy an existing report.

Use the tools and tabs described below to design the report.

Recommendations: Before building a report, clarify the intention of the report. This will inform selection of data sources and fields to include in the report. Look at existing reports as examples.

Edit or copy an existing report

The Design (pencil) icon may appear next to a report name on the menu page and in the toolbar at the top of the report page, depending on report configuration. This tool may be used to edit or copy the existing report.

Click the Design (pencil) icon next to the report name on the menu page or in the toolbar at the top of the report page after running a report.
Adjust the report criteria as needed. Refer to tool descriptions below.
Save the report as appropriate.
- Save:
  1. Click the Save icon and link in the report toolbar. (This option appears only if the report configuration allows full-access editing.)
  2. Note: Clicking the Save icon and link makes the user the new "owner" of the report.
- Save As:
  1. Click the Save As icon and link in the report toolbar to save edited configurations as a new report. This opens a pop-up overlay.
  2. Enter a name for the report.
  3. Use the drop-down list to select a category. (Category is the folder on the report menu page where the report link will be displayed.)
  4. Click OK to save the new report and return to the report design page.
  5. Note: The user is the "owner" of the new report.

Use the tools and tabs described below to edit the report.

Report toolbar

A toolbar appears at the top of report pages. Nine tabs appear above the toolbar in design mode. The same tools appear on the toolbar for all tabs. Hover text shows tool names.

Navigation
1. Report List icon and link: Returns user to the menu page.
Create and save
1. New icon and link: Opens a blank report design page. (This action is the same as clicking the Create Report link from the menu page.
2. Save icon and link: Saves the current report settings as default. The user becomes the “owner” of the report.
3. Save As icon and link: Saves a new version of the current report settings (original report remains unchanged). User must name the new version.
Download options
1. Print icon: Creates a PDF file of report to download and print.
2. SQL icon: Downloads SQL for the report query as a .txt file.
Export options: CSV file, OpenOffice document, Microsoft Excel single file web page, Microsoft Excel 2007-2013 file, Microsoft Word document, and XML document. For details, see Report Tools on Menu Page and View Report Page.
Additional tools
1. Results: Use the drop-down menu to limit the number of results displayed in the report.
Share options: Email, SFTP, Schedule. (These appear only after report is saved.) For details, see Report Tools on Menu and Report Viewer Pages.

Tab functions

The report definition page includes nine tabs. Each tab provides fields and functions to build the report definition.

When a user creates a report from a blank design page, the Data Sources tab is active by default. Data sources must be selected before other tabs become active. Once data sources are selected, other tabs may be visited in any order to define each element.

When a user creates a report based on an existing report, the Fields tab is active by default. Tabs may be edited in any order.

Basic steps for defining a report:

Select database tables or views that contain the desired information for the report. EAR: This may require multiple tables/views that will be joined together when building the report. Cross-Publication EAR: Select one view. (Data Sources tab)
Define one or more elements for displaying the data. Reports typically contain a detail report, plus a supporting summary, chart, or gauge. Each element is configured on its own tab in the Design view and can be configured to display in any order in the report results. (Fields, Summary, Chart, and Gauge tabs)
Define filters required to limit data results returned in the report. (Filters tab)
Format the report, provide titles and descriptions, and set sharing options. (Style and Misc tabs)
Check report settings by previewing. (Preview tab)

For descriptions of functions on each tab, click the tab name below.

See the collection of EAR videos for more help and hints on working with reports.

For more extensive demonstrations, see the recordings of EAR webinars.