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Version: 9.2

Tabular Reports

By applying grouping techniques and calculations, you can generate comprehensive tabular summary reports from your data.

Overview​

As a data analyst, you can use the following tools to empower users to move from high-level summaries to meaningful detail.

  • Grouped summary reports with totals and subtotals help to present data rollups cleanly.
  • Table calculations add powerful comparative and cumulative metrics.
  • Sparkline charts compactly show trends.
  • Expandable tables provide quick drill-down previews.
  • Cross tabulations deliver pivot-style analysis.

Tabular Report Tutorial​

The following tutorial video shows how to design robust tabular reports using the Table, Expandable Table and Crosstab Table charts.

Tags: Chart, Table

Create a Grouped Summary Report​

To provide an aggregated summary rather than raw table rows, use a table chart that includes at least one field on the group shelf.

  1. Add a Table chart and select a dataset (for example, Employee Sales Performance).
  2. Add a column to the Groups shelf (for example, JobTitle).
  3. Add a numeric column to aggregate (for example, LineTotal) to the Columns shelf area and select the aggregation (such as sum or average).
  4. (Optional) Add more grouping dimensions (for example, OrderDate). If it is a date field, you can group by year, quarter, month, and so on.

By adding the suggested columns from the examples, your table chart displays total sales by job title broken down by date components.

Add Totals and Subtotals​

Create a grouped summary report with grand totals and subtotals at each level of the hierarchy.

  1. Select Edit from the options (three-dot) menu of your table chart.

  2. In the Chart Builder, open General > Totals and select Add Total. The system adds a new customizable total.

    • The system adds totals to all columns in the table automatically.
    • The system produces sum and count aggregates by default.

  3. Customize the aggregations (for example, turn off count to focus on sum).

  4. Customize the currency by selecting Values Format from the options (three-dot) menu in the Columns pill of the column.

The grand total is added to the table chart.

Tip: To save users manual formatting steps, you can use the Dataset Design UI to format monetary columns as currency.

You can enable subtotals at any grouping level (for example, JobTitle column level). Subtotals automatically roll up the aggregates for each group. To produce subtotals for each nested grouping, select the column (for example, JobTitle) from the Level dropdown in the Total panel.

Subtotals are added at the selected column's level. To create more groups with subtotals, add more columns to the Groups pill of your table chart and add subtotals.

Table Calculations​

Qrvey supports special table calculations that you can apply to aggregated columns, such as running totals, running averages, and difference (from previous, shown as value or percentage).

  • You can add the same aggregated column multiple times: one to show the raw sum and another to show a table calculation such as percentage difference.
  • Table calculations are ideal for month-over-month or year-over-year comparisons and for cumulative metrics.

Note: When adding a difference calculation (difference-from-previous), the first row in each group displays a null value because there is no previous value to compare against.

Sparkline Charts​

Sparkline charts provide a quick visual summary of a trend while keeping the table compact.

  1. In the Chart Builder, open General > Trend Chart and select Add Trend Chart.

  2. Select Sparkline - bar or Sparkline - line.

  3. Select a column where the sparkline chart should display.

  4. Select the DateTime column to trend by, then select a date grouping (year, quarter, month, and so on).

  5. Customize the display:

    • Limit the date range (all dates, this year, last year).
    • Show numeric values next to charts.
    • Shade an area under the line.
    • Change the line style.

Tip: The Max Groups setting (default: 50) limits how many group items the engine computes to prevent long rendering times. If data appears truncated, you can increase this value, but it can adversely affect performance.

Note: The Max Groups setting is not available when the table is grouped by a DateTime column.

Expandable Table (Drill-Down Style Reports)​

To explore detail records within hierarchical groups, use the Expandable Table chart. This chart turns groupings into collapsible sections and reveals raw details when you drill in. Expandable tables are most effective when used as a preview or for datasets with modest numbers of detail rows. Key characteristics include the following:

  • Aggregations are not part of this format.
  • Groupings become hierarchical sections.
  • You can select a group to expand into the next level, and continue drilling until you see detailed records.
  • The default number of detail records for each group is 10. Increase the limit (to 100 or more) as needed.
  • Expandable tables are not intended for returning thousands or millions of rows as detail records.

Cross Tabulations (Pivot Tables)​

Cross tabulations (crosstabs) work like classic pivot tables, with rows, columns, and values. Add a dimension to the column shelf to generate a column for each data value (for example, a column for each year). Key characteristics include the following:

  • When the dimension is a date, you can drill across time by expanding data values from year down to month, day, hour, and so on.
  • By using more than one dimension, you can drill down through dimensions.
  • You can protect performance by adjusting the default values for max rows and max columns (the column default is often 500).

Caution: Excess columns can force horizontal scrolling and reduce readability. Balance the need for breadth with usability.

Best Practices​

  • Adjust max groups, max rows, and max columns when your result appears truncated.
  • Use sparkline charts in grouped tables to summarize trends by group without adding many columns.
  • In grouped tables, add the same field multiple times when you want the view to display both raw aggregates and table-calculated variants.
  • Set the data format at the dataset level (for example, currency) so charts inherit consistent presentation.
  • Use expandable tables for drill-down functionality and to display raw data in groups.
  • Avoid using expandable tables for large datasets.
  • Use crosstab tables when you need to pivot data and perform multi-dimensional drill-down analysis.