If you've ever created reports from scratch you know how much time is used deciding on the layout of the report your creating. What goes where? How should I highlight speicific sections? Will all readers find the data points we need? All good questions and ones you'll need to resolve, but how about if we use a template instead?
There's a number of benefits in using a template that go beyond just how much time creating report layouts takes.. For instance:
- Easier report creation - Why go through the process of creating a report when you cna instead begin with the layout already in hand.
- Clarity and consistancy = Each reader of your reports will not only know where the data is within the report, they'll also know what data to expect to see in the reports.
- Organization wide cohesiveness - Your entire organization can share these template so all users are creating the same reports in the same style. Creating a much more cohesive reporting structure for your entire organization.
Getting started by having fun
First … Have fun! When you’re first creating your report, you have a fantastic opportunity to simply play with differing layouts. This sort of constructive play allows you to consider questions like what looks best? What layouts seems to let the data flow properly? Will this be easy for others in my organization to find the data points they need?
Keep these questions in your mind as you try new layouts or new ways of displaying data. Once you're done you may want to share a few examples of templates to others, getting their feedback. By combining their feedback with your examples you will be able to settle on what final template style you'd like to use that is useful across your organization.
Using Position and Size to create your first report using the template
With your template laid out in a basic fashion let’s put the finishing touches on it by using it in Apptio's Reporting Surface. Begin by creating a copy of your report, placing each section in it's appropriate area. Once it's laid out review it again to ensure that this is the best final version. If everything looks correct we can start using the Position and Size command to determine exactly on the page where each item goes. You can find the Position and Size command by rightclicking on a component in the report, from the pop up menu choose Potision and Size.
Position is used to set the X and Y axis of your component within the report. You can always nudge components in one direction or another to get it into just the right spot. Once you're done, though, make sure to right click on the component to open Position and Size. Then record the position for each object. For myself I use Powerpoint to create my template, but it doesn't matter how you record, only that you record the positions.
Size determines the Height and Width of your components. Adjust the size of your components as needed, but also consider if you'll have multile components of the same type. It's common to have multiple KPI across the top of a report. Using the Size command you can record the Width and Height to make all of them the same size.
Example KPI Position and Size:
- KPI 1 – Pos: 13 x 174, Size 212 x 121
- KPI 2 - Pos: 383 x 174 Size 212 x 121
- KPI 3 - Pos: 753 x 174, Size 212 x 121
Example template
I created an example template that's attached to this article to show the results of my own template creation. I followed the initial steps I described above, created a few different layout styles, and then decided on which template option was the best for my needs.
Here's an example of my final layout;
Everything was exactly where I wanted it and I record the Position and Size for each object. Once I was done I shared my template with my entire team. Now all of us can create those same clear, concise, and consistent reports.
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