Dynamic Reports Report Collections

This guide explains how to use Report Collections with Dynamic Reports to generate multiple reports at once and distribute them internally or externally. Report Collections add bursting and distribution capabilities for a set of Dynamic Reports. (The cover and table of contents label it “A Planful Academy eBook – Reports: Report Collections,” July 2022.)

Create a Report Collection

1. Go to Reports, click the + icon, then choose Report Collection.

2. In General Information: provide Code and Name; choose a Reporting Area (only configured, applicable areas show); select the File Cabinet folder where the collection will be saved (search shows only folders where you have Full Control/Edit).

3. In Reports (inside a Bursting tab):

   • Choose a Method: Single Dimension, Multiple Members; Multiple Dimensions, Single Member; or Multiple Dimensions, Multiple Members.

   • If using Single Dimension, Multiple Members, the Generate Single Output File for Selected Members checkbox appears (produces one workbook with one sheet per report).

   • Select Dimensions (add more with + when using the multi‑dimension methods) and pick Members via Select <Dimension>.

4. In Settings (see screenshots on p.7 “Output Format selected as PDF” and p.8 “Output Format selected as Excel”):

   • Output Format: one per collection (applies to all reports). Google Sheets export requires the Google for Work feature.

   • Output File Name options:

     • Generate Single Output File (single workbook; enables Custom File Name).

     • Include Report Collection (code/name/label), Report Bursting name, and/or Member (name/code/label) in output.

     • If Generate Single Output File is selected, Report Bursting/Member fields default to None and aren’t editable; choose at least one non‑None option overall. You can also include Date and Time and configure Sheet Name parts (require at least one non‑None Report/Member choice).

   • Excel export – Header & Footer: default is Header & Footer sections; selecting Rows puts those details into normal rows.

   • Table of Contents Settings: include a ToC listing all reports (always portrait layout for Excel and PDF).

5. In Distribution:

   • Send e‑mail notification to user(s) (save the report first to compose email).

   • Include reports as an attachment (visible only if email notification is selected).

   • Save output files in the File Cabinet to the specified folder.

   • Add/Remove User – User group: share with users, user groups, or non‑Planful recipients (via email or folder sharing).

6. Save and Run the Report Collection. If reports use substitution variables, you’ll be prompted to edit them before generation (optional). You can also Save As to create a new copy.

Bursting Tabs (Using & Limits)

• Add a new Bursting tab, Duplicate, or Delete from the tab’s drop‑down. Each tab can use a different bursting method. A report can appear multiple times in a tab or across tabs.

• Limits: max 10 bursting tabs per collection; Excel output supports up to 100 tabs. Drag‑drop to reorder tabs; distribution list order updates accordingly.

• After adding a tab, complete Settings and Distribution, then Save.

Bursting Methods

Single Dimension, Multiple Members

• Each selected member produces one output file (and one sheet/page per included report). Optionally generate a single output for all members via the checkbox noted above.

• Steps: add reports; choose Method = Single Dimension, Multiple Members; pick the Dimension and Members; finish Settings/Distribution; Save and Run.

Multiple Dimensions, Single Member

• Runs each report for a combination of one member per selected dimension; produces a single output for that combination with separate sheets/pages per report.

• Steps: add reports; choose Method = Multiple Dimensions, Single Member; for each dimension click + and select a single rollup or leaf member; repeat for additional dimensions; finish Settings/Distribution; Save and Run.

Multiple Dimensions, Multiple Members

• Allows multiple members per selected dimension; one Excel/PDF is generated per bursting tab.

• Steps: add reports; choose Method = Multiple Dimensions, Multiple Members; for each dimension click + and select multiple members; finish Settings/Distribution; Save and Run.

• Output behavior: e.g., with two locations (11‑Denver, 12‑San Francisco) × two measures (Net Revenue, Expenses), you’ll get four sheets per report. If Generate Single Output File is selected in Settings, one Excel/PDF export spans all bursting tabs.

Editing the Email (Distribution)

• Emails can be edited only for collections saved to the File Cabinet. Open the collection, go to Distribution, click Compose Email (visible only if Send e‑mail notification is enabled).

• In Compose Email:

  • Add/remove addresses in CC.

  • Use [ ] for Properties and @ for Substitution Variables in the Subject.

  • Edit the Message (fonts, alignment, bullets, hyperlinks, tables, find/replace; Fullscreen available). Click Done.