The Reports menu in SmartSimple provides tools to create, configure, copy, delete, restore, and export reports. For field definitions, see Report Field and Settings Reference.
Who: Reports are for any user who understands reporting concepts and is familiar with databases and data relationships, regardless of role.
When to Use Reports
Use reports when:
- Data needs to be pulled from more than one data source, such as combining information from two Universal Tracking Applications (UTA/module) with related contact records. For example, a report that displays reviewer details from a panel review alongside the associated applications.
- Information is needed from historical or log-based data that is not otherwise accessible within the system. For example, a report showing the time applications take between statuses across all applications, rather than one at a time.
- Calculations are required to summarize or forecast data. For example, a forecast report showing upcoming grant payments, broken down by month and grouped by program.
Configure Report Permissions
To give a System Role access to the Reports menu and to manage or export report data, configure permissions at the System Role level.
- Click the System Administration gear in the upper navigation bar, and then select Global Settings from the drop-down menu.
- Click the Security tab, locate the Business Security section, and click System Feature Permissions.
- Click the Menu tab.
- Locate the Reports – Menu Access field and select the appropriate roles from the drop-down menu.
- Click the Features tab.
- Locate the Reports – Export Data field and select the appropriate roles from the drop-down menu.
- Locate the Report – Manager field and select the appropriate roles from the drop-down menu.
Create a Report
To create a new report:
- Click the Menu icon in the upper navigation bar, and then select Reports from the Tools drop-down menu.
- The Reports page will only be available if the Reports – Menu Access option has been enabled for your role.
- Click the New Report [+] button.
- Enter the relevant information in the fields.
- Click Save.
- After saving, the page refreshes and displays the full report editing view. The Builder Type field is no longer editable after the initial save.
- The system automatically populates the Created By, Last Modified, and Last Modified By fields.
Launch the Report Builder
To configure the columns, fields, and criteria for a report, open the Report Builder after saving the report.
- Click the edit [pencil] icon next to the applicable report.
- Click the Report Builder [four-square] icon above the report name.
- The Report Builder opens in a modal window, either Neo or Classic, depending on the Builder Type selected when the report was created.
Copy a Report
To create a copy of an existing report:
- Click the edit [pencil] icon next to the applicable report.
- Click Save As.
- Enter a name for the new report and click Save.
- The system creates a copy under the new name. The copy includes all configurations from the Report Builder, Advanced, Security, File Export, Custom Export, and Report Template tabs.
- The copy does not include sub-report settings and charts.
Delete Reports
Users must have the appropriate permissions to delete a report.
Delete Reports in Batch
To delete multiple reports at once:
- Click the Menu icon in the upper navigation bar, and then select Reports from the Tools drop-down menu.
- Click the checkbox next to each report you want to delete.
- Click the Delete [trash] icon.
- Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
Delete an Individual Report
To delete an individual report:
- Click the Menu icon in the upper navigation bar, and then select Reports from the Tools drop-down menu.
- Click the edit [pencil] icon next to the report you want to delete.
- Click Delete.
- Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
Restore or Purge Deleted Reports
Restoring and purging reports from the Deleted Reports tab requires System Administrator privileges.
- Click the Menu icon in the upper navigation bar, and then select Reports from the Tools drop-down menu.
- Click the Deleted Reports tab.
- Click the checkbox next to the name of the report you want to restore or purge.
- Click the Restore icon to restore the report or click the Purge [trash] icon to permanently delete the report.
- If permanently deleting the report, click Yes to confirm.
Enable Internet Access (Public Viewing) for a Report
Enabling internet access for a report generates a URL that allows the report to be viewed publicly without requiring a system login. The URL can be linked to a website or distributed by email.
- Click the Menu icon in the upper navigation bar, and then select Reports from the Tools drop-down menu.
- Click the edit [pencil] icon next to the report.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- Locate the External Access field and toggle Internet Enabled on.
- Click Save.
After saving, the system automatically generates the URL, Export URL, and Export URL-XML fields. Copy and paste these URLs for use. An optional Access Key field is available to password-protect the report. The system appends the access key to the URL. Change the access key at any time to revoke access.
Export a Report
Export reports to external applications and file formats using File Export or Custom Export settings, or schedule automatic exports on a recurring basis.
Configure File Export for a Report
To set up standard file export for a report:
- Click the Menu icon in the upper navigation bar, and then select Reports from the Tools drop-down menu.
- Click the edit [pencil] icon next to the report.
- Click Export in the left navigation.
- Click the File Export tab.
- Select an Export Format from the drop-down menu.
- Complete the remaining fields.
- Click Save.
Configure a Custom Export for a Report
To configure a custom export layout for use with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, or QuickBooks:
- Click the Menu icon in the upper navigation bar, and then select Reports from the Tools drop-down menu.
- Click the edit [pencil] icon next to the report.
- Click Export in the left navigation.
- Click the Custom Export tab.
- Complete the Header, Detail, Footer, and File Extension fields to define the export layout.
- Enter a File Extension.
- For example, XLS or CSV.
- Click Save.
- Return to the Reports list and click the Export icon next to the report name.
Schedule an Export for a Report
To schedule automatic report exports to a SmartFolder or SFTP location:
- Click the Menu icon in the upper navigation bar, and then select Reports from the Tools drop-down menu.
- Click the edit [pencil] icon next to the report.
- Click Export in the left navigation.
- Click the Scheduled Export tab.
- Select an Export Type from the drop-down menu.
- Enter an Export File Name.
- Append a timestamp using date tokens such as [YYYY]-[MM]-[DD].
- Do not include a file extension in this field.
- Toggle Activate on.
- Locate the When to Run section and select a Run Type from the drop-down menu.
- Select a Frequency from the drop-down menu.
- Locate the Export to Folder section and select a Folder Type from the drop-down menu.
- Click Save.