Purpose Statement
Row Groups define how data is categorized and organized in a Summary Report.
They determine the structure of the report by grouping individual records into meaningful categories and creating one aggregated row for each unique value in the selected field. Row Groups are the foundation of every Summary Report because they provide the structure that summary calculations display against.
Background Information
Row Groups are configured in the Summary Grouping tab after completing the earlier report configuration steps, including data source configuration, column selection, sorting, and criteria filtering.
Row Groups transform flat, record-level data into categorized groupings that serve as the framework for summary calculations. Users can configure up to two Row Groups to create hierarchical, or nested, groupings for deeper analysis.
Row Groups work with Summary Columns. At least one Summary Column must be configured before Row Group data will display in the report output.
Required Permissions
Users must have access to the Reports module and Ad-Hoc Reporting functionality.
Additional access may be required based on the data sources and fields being grouped. If a user cannot access specific fields or data sources, contact a system administrator to verify the user’s Reports permissions and Data Set Permissions.
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Step-by-Step Guide
Navigate to the Summary Grouping Tab
After completing the previous report configuration steps, navigate to the Summary Grouping tab.
Add the First Row Group
Click the plus icon (+) to add the first Row Group.
Select the Row Group Field
Select any data field from the configured data source to group the report data by.
Common examples include Shift, Department, Apparatus, Incident Type, or Station.
The report will create one line item for each unique value found in the selected field.
Add a Second Row Group
To create a nested grouping, click the plus icon (+) again.
Select the Secondary Row Group Field
Select a different data field for the second Row Group.
The report will display a hierarchical structure, with the second Row Group nested inside the first Row Group.
Review Expandable and Collapsible Sections
When two Row Groups are configured, sections in the report output become expandable and collapsible.
This allows users to review high-level totals first and expand sections when more detail is needed.
Remove a Row Group
Click the trash can icon next to the Row Group that should be removed.
The Row Group is immediately removed from the configuration.
Configure at Least One Summary Column
Add at least one Summary Column with the appropriate measure and aggregation settings.
Row Groups will not display data in the report output until at least one Summary Column is configured.
Tip:
To display the same data as a second Row Group expanded into columns, use Column Groups.
Key Behaviors & Features
Single Row Group
A single Row Group creates one aggregated row for each unique value in the selected field.
For example, if Shift is selected as the Row Group, the report may display one row each for Shift A, Shift B, and Shift C.
Multiple Row Groups
Two Row Groups create a hierarchical structure. The second Row Group appears as sub-rows within each primary group.
For example, Apparatus can be nested within each Shift.
Expandable and Collapsible Output
When multiple Row Groups are configured, grouped sections can be expanded or collapsed in the report output for easier navigation.
Field Availability
Any field from the configured data source can be selected as a Row Group.
Summary Column Dependency
Row Groups will not display data until at least one Summary Column is configured.
Order Matters
The first Row Group is the primary, or outer, grouping. The second Row Group is the secondary, or inner, grouping.
Best Practices
- Start with a single Row Group before adding a second to confirm the report structure is easy to understand.
- Choose fields with a manageable number of distinct values.
- Avoid using fields with many unique values, such as addresses or record IDs, unless specifically needed.
- Group by the dimension most relevant to the report’s purpose and audience.
- Use a second Row Group only when deeper analysis is needed.
- Use Criteria filtering before grouping to narrow the report results.
- Common effective Row Group fields include Shift, Station, Department, Incident Type, Apparatus, Month/Year, and Personnel.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why isn’t my Row Group displaying any data?
You must configure at least one Summary Column with the appropriate measure and aggregation settings before Row Group data will appear.
Can I have more than two Row Groups?
No. The system supports a maximum of two Row Groups per Summary Report. For additional dimensions, consider using Column Groups.
What happens if my Row Group field has too many unique values?
The report will create a row for every unique value. This can make the report very long and difficult to read. Consider using Criteria filtering to narrow the data before grouping, or choose a field with fewer distinct values.
Can I reorder my Row Groups?
To reorder Row Groups, remove them and re-add them in the desired order. The first group added becomes the primary, or outer, group.
Can I use any field as a Row Group?
Any field from the configured data source can be selected as a Row Group. However, fields with a smaller number of distinct values usually produce more useful summary reports.