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Creating a Cross Tab in Finished Reports

Garrick Guillory
Updated

Cross Tabs in Finished Reports allow you to summarize and compare data across rows and columns. They are useful for displaying grouped information in a compact matrix-style layout.

Before creating a Cross Tab, make sure VDM is configured to use Cross Tab rather than Pivot in the applicable VDM settings.

What Is a Cross Tab?

A Cross Tab is a report control that summarizes data across rows and columns. It can group values in two directions and display calculated or summarized results in the intersecting cells.

For example, you could display Region as rows, Product Category as columns, and Sales Amount as the summarized data value.

Why Use a Cross Tab?

Use a Cross Tab when you want to:

  • Compare grouped values across both rows and columns
  • Summarize data in a compact matrix-style layout
  • Display totals or other summary calculations
  • Present grouped results without building a large standard table
  • Make grouped data easier to compare across categories

Step 1: Open the Finished Reports Designer

Open VDM and launch the Finished Reports Designer for the View you want to modify.

Step 2: Add a Cross Tab

From the report controls, drag a Cross Tab into the desired report band.

For example, you can place the Cross Tab in:

  • Detail
  • Report Header
  • Group Header
  • Another appropriate report band

The report band you choose determines where and how often the Cross Tab appears.

For a Cross Tab that should appear only once in the report, the Report Header can be a useful location.

Step 3: Add Fields to the Cross Tab

Drag fields into the appropriate Cross Tab areas.

Cross Tabs typically use three types of fields:

  • Rows — Organize values vertically
  • Columns — Organize values horizontally
  • Data — Display the summarized values

When dragging a field into the Cross Tab, position it next to or below an existing cell until the insertion indicator appears.

This determines whether the field is added as another row, column, or data field.

Step 4: Refine the Layout

Continue adding and arranging fields until the Cross Tab displays the information you need.

You can use multiple:

  • Row fields
  • Column fields
  • Data fields

The Cross Tab structure should reflect how you want the report data grouped and summarized.

Step 5: Configure a Data Cell

Select the data cell you want to modify.

Open Cross Tab Cell Tasks using the task button on the selected cell.

From this menu, you can configure options such as:

  • Field assignment
  • Summary type
  • Cell sizing
  • Visibility
  • Format String

Step 6: Format Cross Tab Values

If the Cross Tab contains currency, dates, percentages, or other formatted values, open the Format String Editor for the appropriate data cell.

Choose or enter the required format.

For example, a currency format may use:

{0:C}

mceclip6.png

Repeat this process for any other cells that require formatting.

Step 7: Preview and Verify

Select Preview to review the completed Cross Tab.

Verify that:

  • Row and column fields are arranged correctly
  • Data values are summarized as expected
  • Formatting is correct
  • The Cross Tab appears in the intended report location

Return to the designer and make any necessary changes.

Save the Report

After confirming that the Cross Tab displays correctly, save the Finished Report.

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