The Grid feature in Compose allows you to display data in tables, making it a useful tool for presenting detailed information. One of the advantages of using Grids is their ability to support large amounts of data on a single page while maintaining clarity and ease of interpretation.
To automate and update Grids, you can create links to data in Query using data references and expressions. This feature saves time and ensures that Grids are always up-to-date.
Grids offer a variety of options to help you create clear and readable pages, including the ability to display bars within Grid cells instead of standard numeric data points. You can also include different sources of data in the same Grid, including trended data for comparison.
To further customize Grids, you can control the content by adjusting the parameters of the page or by using expressions to sort data or exclude data based on a specific label.
Here are some tips and best practices to keep in mind when working with Grids:
-
Create and finalize the necessary crosstab analysis in Query before working with Grids;
-
Once you drag and drop Grid Widget to your slide, you can use the Select Query button to automatically fill in the Grid with all the content from one of the selected queries in the report;
-
Include trended data in the same Grid. (e.g., one set of bars for the current year and another for the previous year to benchmark).
Grid Widget supports a simplified flow for filling it with data from existing Query.
You can use the SELECT QUERY button to automatically fill in the Grid with all the content from one of the selected Queries in the project. All values are referenced with formulas, so, for example, you can change datasets used to update the input data and the changes will be automatically reflected in your Grid Widget. If input query structure allows it, the formulas created will automatically include dynamic rows and column references to give you easier entry into more powerful Grid features.
The outcome of selecting the 'Engine' Query tab is the below table will all the required values.
To support auto-fill for Grid (SELECT QUERY), a formula for our expressions was created, which can replace the DataReference builder - it is called TabReference and it is accessible for all expressions across all components.
TabReference allows you to easily refer to a specific value(s) from existing Queries and use it on the Compose side. Smart, context-driven suggestions can guide you through the necessary input parameters. It offers several additional advantages:
-
You can copy and paste such a formula across different expression windows, allowing you to reuse existing references outside of one specific context easily;
-
Flexible formula format allows you to use ParameterValue as input, rather than only specific selection or “by position” reference (both still supported by the new formula);
-
For dynamic rows and columns definition, it is now possible to refer to responses only, providing a simplified solution for a common use case that requires manually removing the Sample Total row.
Under the
Expression in Compose section you will find more details referring to TabReference and its usage.
