The output type of a user report can be formatted. Similarly, the chart visualization type can also be configured if the user report is being used in a chart widget.
Output Type
The output type of the user report can be chosen in the "Run Report" dropdown field in the "Data Tab". Additional file types can also be configured through the "Export Options" tab of a user report.
Here are the following file types that can be chosen from the "Run Report" dropdown field:
HTML – Available from the HTML link on the User Report page. It can also be generated by selecting the HTML option in the Run Report drop-down list. This functionality opens the report in a new Window browser window. Report formatting is not included in the HTML report, however, limited column data formatting is supported (formatting of date and currency type data is supported, but width, font, grouping, and subtotaling are not).
PDF File – Available from the PDF link on the User Report page. It can also be generated by selecting the PDF option in the Run Report drop-down list. Report formatting is included in the PDF report.
Excel Formatted – Available from the Excel Formatted link on the User Report Page. It can also be generated by selecting the Excel Formatted option from the Run Report drop-down list. Report formatting is included in the Excel Formatted report.
EXCEL Data – Available from the Excel Data link on the User Report Page. It can also be generated by selecting the Excel Data option from the Run Report drop-down list. This functionality opens the report in a new Windows browser window. Report formatting is not included in the Excel Data report.
CSV File – Formats the output of the user report to a comma-separated values file. This output file can be useful in configuring automation that updates fields through imports.
Payroll Reports – a user report can be generated through the compensation payroll reporting screen when the following fields are set:
Payroll Export – checked
Payroll Output Type – Excel
Export Type – Flat File
Delimiter – specify a character like a comma (,) or pipe(|)
Header Row - optional
Export Options Tab
The export options tab determines which file type will be created by the export of the user report.
The following file types can be chosen in the "Export Type" dropdown field, which are not available options under the "Run Report" dropdown field:
Flat Files – Used for payroll feeds in the compensation payroll reporting process
XSL Transform – Available from the export link or the Run Export button when an XSL transform is uploaded. This functionality runs the report to XML and then transforms it via the entered XSL into a new Windows browser window. XSL is a technical tool for integrating systems.
Flat File Delimiter - The character specified here will be used to delimit the fields in the export file created.
Custom Header and Footer - Text that should appear on the header and/or footer record of the export should be entered here exactly as it should appear on the exported report. These fields are only visible if the flat file export type is chosen.
In addition to text, the header and footer fields also support the following functions:
Sum(Column Caption) – Displays the sum of a specified column. The column must be specified using its caption.
Count() – Displays a count of all records in the export.
GetDate() – Displays the current date/time.
Format() – Used to format the results from a Sum or GetDate function call.
Column Formatting - In this section, each column of a report can be further formatted and specified in the export report by Format, Fixed Length, Pad Justification, Pad Character and Default Value.
Chart Options
The Chart Options tab will allow users to create a type of chart (e.g. bar chart) from the given user report. This chart can then be used in a widget.
For additional information on creating charts from user reports for use in a widget please refer to this article.
