Purpose Statement

The Basic Information tab is the first step in creating ad-hoc reports within the Reports Module. This section allows you to name and organize your ad-hoc report by providing essential metadata including report title, description, and module association. Properly completing the Basic Information tab ensures your reports are clearly identified and easily searchable within your department's report library.

Background Information

The Basic Information tab serves as the foundation for all ad-hoc reports, allowing users to define core report parameters before moving to data source configuration. This tab focuses on report organization and identification rather than data selection. The module association field acts as a tagging mechanism for improved searchability and does not affect the actual data sources available for your report. Some agencies may have additional regional sharing options depending on their configuration.

Required Permissions

To access and complete the Basic Information tab in ad-hoc report creation, users must have:

• Access to the Reports Module
• Ad-Hoc Reports permissions
• Report creation capabilities within their assigned role

Video

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Access Ad-Hoc Reports

Inside of the Reports Module, select Ad-Hoc Reports from the menu. This will bring you to the Reports List. Click on Create Report to get started.

2. Navigate to Basic Information Tab

The first tab is the Basic Information section. This is where you will start your report.

3. Enter Report Name

The first field is where you can name your report.

4. Add Report Description

The next step is to give your report a description. This is not required and more detail about the report can be added later.

5. Select Module Association

Select the module you are associating this report with. It is used as a tagging field for searching later.

Important Note: This module association does not affect the data sources you are using.

6. Configure Regional Agency Settings (If Available)

Most agencies will not see the Regional Agencies drop-down option. This is for several agencies that have chosen to share specific data fields. If you have this option you will need to select only your agency, or all agencies you have access to.

7. Proceed to Next Tab

Click Next to move on the next tab. You also have the option of selecting the tab itself.

8. Continue to Data Source Configuration

To learn about the next tab read the article on Data Source Configuration.

Best Practices

Report Naming Guidelines:

• Use descriptive, meaningful names that clearly identify the report's purpose
• Follow your department's naming conventions if established
• Avoid using special characters that may cause issues with file systems

Description Recommendations:

• While optional, descriptions help other users understand the report's purpose
• Keep descriptions concise but informative
• Consider adding details about the intended audience or frequency of use

Module Association Strategy:

• Choose the module most closely related to your report's primary data focus
• Remember that this selection is for organization only and won't limit your data sources
• Use consistent module associations for similar reports to improve searchability

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: Can I change the Basic Information after creating the report? A: Yes, you can edit these fields by accessing your saved report from the Reports List and selecting edit options.

Q: What if I don't see the Regional Agencies dropdown? A: This option is only available for agencies configured for regional data sharing. Most users will not see this option.

Q: Does the module selection limit what data I can include in my report? A: No, the module association is purely for organizational and search purposes. It does not restrict your data source options.

Q: Is the description field required? A: No, the description field is optional, but it's recommended for better report organization and team collaboration.

Related Articles

• Report List Features
• Ad-Hoc Reporting: Data Source Configuration