Selecting the report format

Why is the report format important in creating a report? Each Salesforce report is constructed with a report format, and the report format will determine the report layout, options, and settings for the report. It also determines whether the report can be used as the data source in a dashboard.

There are a few report formats available in Salesforce, from the simple tabular report to the complex matrix and joined report. Each report format has different usages and purposes.

Types of report format

When you create a new report, Tabular is the default report format selected. You will able to modify the report format anytime, even after you save the report, but you may lose some configured items, depending on the original and target report format.

There are four report formats available in Salesforce:

• Tabular
• Summary
• Matrix
• Joined

Let's try to understand each of them individually.

The Tabular report format

The Tabular report is the default report format when you create a new...