Hidden values in table and matrix reports

Table and matrix reports automatically hide repeating values to improve readability. This article explains why values appear blank, how sorting affects this behaviour, and how to override it.

In this article:

• Why repeating values appear blank
• How sorting affects repeating values
• Need more support?

Why repeating values appear blank

Table and matrix reports hide repeating row values within field-level groups to improve readability. Field-level groups are created after the default sort hierarchy is applied. When a group contains more than one row, the values appear in the first row only. The same value in subsequent rows appears blank.

The values are not removed from the underlying data. They are visually suppressed in the report and become visible when you hover over the cell.

When you export the report to Excel, these values are included, but use the same font colour as the cell background. To make them visible, select the cells and change the font colour.

CSV exports do not retain this formatting. All values appear automatically in the exported file.

How sorting affects repeating values

You can control whether repeated values appear blank by adjusting the report’s sort hierarchy. The right approach depends on whether you want to keep or change the report’s default sorting and grouping.

• Keep the default sorting and grouping: Add the same field that appears in the first column of the report to Hidden fields, then enable sorting on it. This starts the sort hierarchy from the hidden field and will display all hidden values in the report.
• Change the default sorting and grouping: Sort by a field that is not the first column in the report. This changes the report’s grouping and row order, which can display values that previously appeared blank due to the default grouping.