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Modules & Reporting

Advanced Reporting 5: Grouping and Summaries in a Timesheet Report

Introduction

This guide explains how to enhance the timesheet report by adding grouping by employee and summaries, along with dynamic display of report date range and report metadata.

Adding a Group Header and Footer

  1. Switch to the Properties Panel.
  2. Add a Group Header and a Group Footer.

In the Group Header:

  • Add employee details (e.g., Employee Number, First/Last Name).

In the Group Footer:

  • Add summary fields per employee for: Expected Hours, Gross Hours, Net Hours

Understanding Header/Footer Levels

  • The existing group header for the table is at level 0.
  • The newly added Group Header is at level 1.
  • Group Footer levels mirror this: Footer 0 corresponds to Header 0, Footer 1 corresponds to Header 1

Remove any irrelevant footers, such as Total by Department, if not grouping by department.

Displaying Report Date Range

  1. Insert a new label to display report date range.
  2. Format the expression using D (short date pattern).
  3. Add parameters: From Date, To Date
  4. Use the Fields Panel → Parameters section → Double-click From Date and To Date.
  5. Confirm the formatting is applied correctly.

Previewing Report Date Range

  1. Switch to Preview Mode.
  2. Select Last 7 Days for a few employees.
  3. Submit and confirm the From/To date parameters are displayed on the report.

Enhancing Footer with Metadata

Replacing Page Info

  1. Go back to Design View.
  2. Delete the existing Page Info element (considered redundant).
  3. Add two labels in the Page Footer Band:

Displaying Company Name

  1. Add a label on the left.
  2. Open Expression Editor → Functions → Custom.
  3. Select and insert the Company Name function.

Displaying Printed Date/Time

  1. Add another label on the right side.
  2. Change text alignment to Right Align.
  3. Open Expression Editor → Functions → Custom.
  4. Insert SystemDateTimeNow function.
  5. Adjust text format to read something like: Printed: [Date/Time]

Final Preview

Preview the report again using Last 7 Days for a few employees. Verify:

  • Grouped data by employee.
  • Summary values under each employee group.
  • Header shows correct date range.
  • Footer shows Company Name and Printed Date/Time respecting time zone settings.

Conclusion

This enhancement adds clarity and professionalism to your timesheet reports by grouping data per employee, summarising working hours, and dynamically displaying report metadata.