Salesforce users can use joined reports to create an overall summary of different data objects in multiple sections. Joined reports give users the ability to bring together several data points neatly arranged in blocks within a single report. This short post will focus on when joined reports are used, what are its elements, and how to start making one.
When to use Joined Reports
Joined reports lets users combine and summarize various kinds of information in one report. Data from both standard and custom report types can be put together in a joined report. Using joined reports allows users to summarize large sums of data for reporting simple to complex information about the organization.
What’s in a Joined Report?
A joined report may contain one or more data from different report types. If various report types have a linked relationship with a single object, they can be combined in a joined report.
The first report type added to a joined report becomes the principal report type. The principal report type determines how the common fields across the entire report is named. Common fields are especially useful for creating groupings for data blocks.
Joined reports allow data blocks to enable multiple views of different data. A single joined report can have up to five data blocks. Users can add fields, filters, formulas and do column sorting within these blocks. Charts can also be added accordingly.
Groupings can be applied to the created blocks. A user is allowed to add up to three groupings across all the blocks in a single report.
Creating a Joined Report
- Go to the Reports & Dashboards tab and click on the New Report button.
- Choose which Report Type to use for the first report block of the joined report. Remember that this will be the principal report type for the entire joined report.
- Select the chosen report type and hit Create.
- Select Joined on the Report Format drop-down list.
The user may now start organizing the data for Block 1 of the report. He can now add and remove fields, apply needed filters, add formulas, and add charts as necessary. Save the report.
To add another block to the report, simply drag and drop a desired field to the preview pane. The preview pane is located at the right side of Block 2. Once done, rename the new Block and start organizing the fields, filters, formulas and charts for the block. Save it afterwards.
After creating all blocks and finalizing the groupings, click on the Run report button to see the completed report.