Building a Calendar Data Report

This guide will cover how to build out a report in a tabular layout.

Start by adding a new Dataset

  1. Click "Dynamic Reporting" under the Reports tab
  2. Click "Manage Datasets" in the "Manage Datasets" box on the left side of the page
  3. At the top of the listing of available datasets, click the table icon that shows a green plus sign

Step 1: "Report Information"

  1. Report Name: Set the name of the report
    1. This name must be unique to the other reports
    2. Name the report something descriptive so you have an idea of what kind of information is included just by looking at the name
  2. Description: Add a description of the report
    1. This description is required
    2. The description allows you to give more detail about the report than you are able to give in the shorter title
  3. Report Type: Choose the report type (This guide covers the calendar data option)
    1. Tabular data: a table style report with columns and rows
    2. Calendar data: a calendar style report for viewing dates in a report
  4. Data Source: Choose the data source you want to use in the report
  5. Created By: The "Created By" field displays your username to show who is the creator of the report
  6. Distinct: The "Distinct" check box will remove duplicate records from the report if checked
    1. This option is useful if you are trying to build a report that has duplicate records and you need only one record for each value
      1. Example: a listing of years where applications were filled out
  7. Share Level: The Share level option will allow you to choose who is able to view this report
    1. Private: Only the creator
    2. Group: Shows a multi-select check box to allow you to choose which employee groups are able to view the report
    3. Other Users: Everyone with a valid account
    4. Public: Everyone with access

Step 2: "Calendar Information"

On the Calendar Information step, you can configure which columns are shown on your calendar, and how they display. Labels are only displayed on events that span multiple days.

  1. Date: Choose which field from the dataset contains the date that will be shown on the calendar
  2. To Date: (Optional) To have the calendar report show a starting and end date as a range on the calendar, choose the end date on this field
  3. Title: Choose a field from the dataset to be used as the title of the event on the calendar
  4. Intermediate Days: (Optional) Check this box to make it so that when there is a range of dates, each date will show the event
  5. Category / Type: (Optional) Choose a field from the dataset to be used as the category of the event on the calendar 
  6. Link Url: (Optional) Choose a field from the dataset to be used as a link on the event
    1. The chosen field must include a full link in order to function correctly

      To show the view page of an application, the dataset would have to have a column that displays "https://[countyname].rtvision.com/view.php?id=[appid]" for each record where "[appid]" is dynamically changed to be relevant to each record. This can be done usinf the Concatenate formula on the Formatting step of the dataset creation (view the guide here).

  7. Description: (Optional)  Choose a field from the dataset to be used as a description for the event which is shown when hovering over the event in the report

Step 3: "Filters"

The Filters step allows you to filter out records from the dataset. This is helpful for when the dataset that is being used in the report contains very general data and the report needs to be more specific. You can create a filter on one of the columns by choosing a column from the listing of columns available in the dataset. Once you click on one of the column names, a filter builder will appear in the space below the listing of columns. A drop down next to the field name will allow you to choose from several different ways to filter the report based on the data type of the field you chose. Once you choose how to filter the field, you can type a value into the text box to filter on that value. Once the filter is built, you can click the green plus in the top left of the filter box to add the filter to the report. If you accidentally click the wrong field to filter on, you can click the broom icon in the top left to clear the selection. The filter step allows you to include multiple fields in a single filter as well.

Step 4: "Queries"

The queries step allows you to add ways for the report to be filtered without having to edit the report. A query is set up by clicking the check box next to the column name and then choosing a query type from the drop down that appears. There are four types of queries available: Advanced Search, Generic Search, Select from Listing, and Select Multiple from Listing.You can select multiple columns to be able to be queried in the report.

Advanced Search: This option allows the user to make a more dynamic query on the report. The query options on the Advanced Search depends on the data type of the column. For example, if the column contains dates, the query will provide options to search for records on a specific date, between two dates, and before or after a specific date.

Generic Search: This option allows the user to query the report based on a value entered into a search box. 

Select from Listing: This option provides the user with a drop down list of all of the unique values in that column. This option is not recommended for columns with numerous unique values such as dates or text box values.

Select Multiple from Listing: This option provides the user with a multiple selection list of all of the unique values in that column. This option is not recommended for columns with numerous unique values such as dates or text box values.

If a report has queries set up, the person running that report can use the queries by clicking on the icon with a magnifying glass on it on the reports page. If a report doesn't have queries set up, that icon will not be available on that report.

Step 5: "Preview"

This step allows you to save and exit the report builder. Once the report creation has been finished, it will show in the list of reports.


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