Supported report formats

Better Reports offers several report formats for analysing and visualising data in different ways. This article explains Table, Matrix, Bar/Line chart, and Scatter plot reports, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

In this article:

• Table reports
• Matrix reports
• Bar/Line chart reports
• Scatter plot reports
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Table reports

Table reports are the most common format for viewing data in rows and columns. Each row represents a dimension, such as Order, Product name, or Customer Full name, and each column represents a measure, such as Total sales, Total orders, or Total quantity sold.

Use a table report if you want to:

• Create a report similar to a basic spreadsheet
• Sort by measures
• Include many dimensions

Matrix reports

Matrix reports are similar to pivot tables. They display dimensions as both rows and columns, with measures shown under each column heading.

Use a matrix report if you want to:

• Pivot or cross-tabulate your data
• Display dimensions as both rows and columns

Bar/Line chart reports

Bar/Line chart reports visualise data using either bars or lines, making it easier to compare performance and identify trends.

• Bar charts work best for comparing totals between categories, such as Total sales by Customer type broken out by Product type.
• Line charts are ideal for showing changes over time, such as Total sales by month.

Scatter plot reports

Scatter plot reports chart up to four measures at once. Each point represents a combination of those measures for a given dimension. For example, you can plot customers based on their Total orders, Average order value, and Average units per order. This can help you identify the ranges where most customers fall and highlight high-value or loyal customers.

Use a scatter plot report if you want to:

• Identify patterns or correlations across large datasets
• Spot outliers or unusual data points
• Visually compare performance across multiple measures