Step 2a. Showing the report as a table

Your report already has some columns, including columns for the attributes you created conditions for.

Procedure

  • Add attribute columns: Select the artifact type from the drop-down list, and the attributes to add to the report. Then, click Add.

    To link directly to the artifacts in the lifecycle products, include the Title and URL attributes in the report.

    If you add the Component attribute as a column but do not add a condition for it, when you run your report you can select a component to filter the results that you see.

  • Add calculated value columns: Add columns that show calculations such as averages, sums, or counts.
    1. Select the artifact type.
    2. Select the calculation to show.
    3. Select the attribute for your calculation.
    4. To add other calculated values, click Add. Otherwise, click Add and Close.
    Example: To count the defects that were created in a specific time range, select Count number of artifacts > Limit (Count all artifacts with selected attribute values) > Creation Date. Then, set the time range.
    Example of calculating total number of specific artifacts
  • Add custom expression columns if you are a report manager, and if your data source is configured to allow report managers to edit queries: To show the data in the form that you need, you can use attributes, and functions to build custom expressions.
    1. Select the artifact type from the drop-down list.
    2. Add attributes (and functions if needed) by selecting one and clicking the Add Button with a greater than symbol to add.
    3. Modify the expression in the Custom expression field.
      For example, if you add a function to the custom expression, you must replace the placeholder text. In the custom expression, position the cursor at the placeholder text, choose an attribute, and click Add; then, delete the placeholder text.
    4. If your custom expression includes a function or an aggregate expression, select the Contains an aggregate expression checkbox.
      Note: Aggregate expressions calculate a single value based on a set of values such as SUM, COUNT, AVG. Each database vendor has its own set of aggregate expressions. Check the vendor documentation.
    5. Optional: Specify how to display the values. You can use the default String.
    6. Validate your expression.
    7. Click Add to include the column in the report.
  • Format columns.
    • Change the column name: Type in the Column Label field.
    • Arrange columns: Click the drag handle Drag Handle on the left of the column label, and drag it to another location, or use the controls in the Actions column.
    • Adjust the column width: Click the column boundary in the table layout, and drag it into position.
    • Sort columns: Select the sort method from the Sort Type list. You can sort more than one column. To change the sort order, edit the number.
    • Color-code your report: Click in the Color section to configure rules for highlighting specific data in your report. You can add multiple coloring conditions. If several conditions target the same cells in your report, prioritize them:
      • Within the same column: Drag a condition to adjust its priority. In a list, the lowest priority condition is added first followed by the higher priority. The first condition is met first. The last condition can override the first one, so it has the highest priority.
      • Across all columns in your report: Use the Priority field to define the sequence to apply your conditions in. Enter a value from 1 (highest) to 9 (lowest). To give a condition the lowest priority, leave the Priority field empty.
    • Combine consecutive columns: Enter the same column label for equivalent attributes that are grouped in one condition. Using the risk status example from Set conditions, for each instance of the attribute (Risk Status in RM, Risk Status in QM, and others), set the column label to Risk Status. When you run the report, one Risk Status column shows data from all the projects.
      Important: If the consecutive columns contain calculations, the labels are combined in the report that you export, but not on the Run report page.
    • Remove columns: Use the controls in the Actions column.