First Steps defining Custom Reports

Creating insightful, tailored reports is a key part of making informed decisions within SIX ERP. The Custom Report Builder is designed to empower users to define custom reports that extract and present the data they need. Before diving into detailed configurations, it's essential to understand the first foundational steps required when defining a custom report. This guide walks you through these critical initial stages.

Accessing the Report Builder

To begin creating a custom report, navigate to Reports → Custom Reports from the left side menu.

Here, you can manage existing reports or click on “New Report Template” to start building a new custom report. Ensure you have the required permissions to create reports.

Step 1: Define the Data Source

The data source is the core of any custom report. It determines where your data will come from and how tables are connected.

Configure Relationships
In this phase, select the tables that contain the data you want to report on. For example, you might combine data from Invoices, Customers, and Payments.
Add one or more tables.
Define the type of join between tables:
- Left Join: Includes all records from the first table and matching records from the second.
- Right Join: Includes all records from the second table and matching records from the first.
Save your table relationships once configured.
Apply Filters
Filters allow you to define conditions that limit the data shown in your report. For example: Total Amount greater than 1,000 or Invoices within a specific date range.

You can also set dynamic filters with the Ask User option. When enabled, users must input filter parameters (like dates or amounts) before generating the report.

Use logical groupings (AND/OR) to combine multiple filters for precise data control.

Step 2: Create logical Groups

After defining your data source, you can decide if you want the report to group data for better clarity.

Group By
Select fields to group your results. For example, group invoices by:
Staff member, Customer, or Date
Grouping helps in categorizing the report into logical sections.
Sort By
Choose fields to sort your report, either in:
Ascending order (A–Z, 0–9) - or -
Descending order (Z–A, 9–0)

This ensures that your grouped data appears in the most useful sequence.

Why Are These Steps Important?

These first steps- defining your data source and setting up relationships, filters, and grouping are critical because they establish the framework of your custom report. A well-planned data structure:

Ensures accuracy.
Filters out irrelevant data.
Organizes your results meaningfully.

Once these foundational elements are in place, you can move on to further customization like adding subtotals, selecting visible columns, applying conditional formatting, and setting permissions on which staff members, roles or departments can access your report.

What’s Next?

After completing these first steps, continue with:

Subtotals: Apply functions like SUM, COUNT, or AVERAGE.
Columns: Choose what fields are visible and configure labels.
Cell Formatting: Add visual cues based on conditions.
Settings: Define the appearance and security of the report.

The first steps in defining a custom report in SIX ERP are crucial to ensure that your report serves its intended purpose. By carefully selecting your data sources, applying the right filters, and organizing your data with grouping and sorting, you lay the groundwork for powerful, actionable reports.