Reporting is where planning meets reality. In Jedox, reports are the window through which stakeholders see their data, track performance, and make decisions. Building reports that are fast, accurate, and intuitive is both an art and a science. Here are the best practice tips from the Finaran Jedox Centre of Excellence.
1. Design with the End User in Mind
Before building a single report, ask: who will use this, and what decisions will it drive? The answer should shape everything — from the layout to the level of detail, the dimensions exposed, and the navigation flow.
Best Practice Tip
Create user personas for each report. A CFO needs a high-level dashboard; a cost centre manager needs drill-down detail. Design separate views rather than cramming everything into one report.
2. Use DYNARANGES for Dynamic Reports
Jedox's DYNARANGE function is one of its most powerful features. Instead of hardcoding rows and columns, use DYNARANGEs to dynamically expand based on the underlying data. This ensures reports automatically adjust when new cost centres, products, or time periods are added.
Key DYNARANGE Tips:
- ▸Always define clear subset filters to control what elements appear in your DYNARANGE.
- ▸Use attribute-based filters instead of hardcoded lists — they adapt automatically as master data changes.
- ▸Combine row and column DYNARANGEs carefully to avoid unintended cross-joins that slow performance.
- ▸Set appropriate expand limits to prevent reports from growing unexpectedly large.
3. Optimise Report Performance
Slow reports frustrate users and undermine confidence in the platform. Performance should be a first-class consideration from the start, not an afterthought.
✓ Do
- Minimise the number of PALO.DATA functions per sheet
- Use PALO.DATAV for multiple values in a single call
- Leverage cube views instead of cell-by-cell retrieval
- Pre-aggregate data in rules where possible
- Use conditional formatting sparingly
✗ Avoid
- Nested PALO.DATA functions inside IF statements
- Volatile Excel functions (INDIRECT, OFFSET) in data sheets
- Expanding DYNARANGEs without row/column limits
- Multiple overlapping DYNARANGEs on the same sheet
- Heavy formatting on large data grids
4. Structure Your Reports with Clear Navigation
A well-structured report set is like a well-organised book — it has a table of contents, chapters, and a logical flow. In Jedox, use these navigation patterns:
- ✓Landing Page / Dashboard: Start with a high-level summary that shows KPIs, variances, and traffic-light indicators. This gives executives an instant pulse check.
- ✓Drill-Down Sheets: Link from the dashboard to detailed analysis sheets. Use hyperlinks or Jedox's built-in navigation to make transitions seamless.
- ✓Input vs. Output Sheets: Separate data entry forms from read-only reports. Use colour coding — e.g., blue cells for input, white for calculated — so users instantly know where to type.
- ✓Consistent Dimension Selectors: Place combo boxes and dimension pickers in the same position across all sheets for a consistent user experience.
5. Leverage Jedox Web for Modern Reporting
While the Excel Add-In remains powerful for complex modelling, Jedox Web is the go-to for interactive dashboards and self-service reporting. Key advantages:
- ▸Interactive Charts & Widgets: Use Jedox Web's chart library for visually compelling dashboards that update in real time.
- ▸Mobile-Friendly: Jedox Web reports render on tablets and phones, enabling executives to review reports on the go.
- ▸Role-Based Views: Configure different views for different user roles using Jedox's rights management — ensuring users see only what's relevant to them.
6. Implement a Naming Convention
Consistency in naming is critical for maintainability. Establish and enforce naming conventions for:
Reports & Sheets
e.g., RPT_PnL_Summary, RPT_BS_Detail
Input Forms
e.g., INP_Budget_Revenue, INP_FC_OpEx
Cubes
e.g., PLAN_PnL, ACT_BS, FC_CashFlow
Dimensions
e.g., DIM_Account, DIM_CostCentre, DIM_Time
7. Test, Validate, Iterate
Never deploy a report without thorough testing. This includes:
- ✓Data Validation: Cross-check report totals against source systems to ensure accuracy.
- ✓User Acceptance Testing: Have actual end users test the reports. Their feedback on usability is invaluable.
- ✓Edge Cases: Test with empty data, single-entity scenarios, and maximum data volumes to ensure reports handle all conditions gracefully.
- ✓Performance Benchmarking: Set a target load time (e.g., under 5 seconds) and optimise until you hit it.
Final Thoughts
Great Jedox reporting is not just about pulling data into a spreadsheet — it's about telling a story with numbers. By following these best practices, you can build reports that are fast, reliable, and genuinely useful for decision-making. Remember: the best report is one that your users actually want to open.
About the Authors
Finaran Jedox Centre of Excellence
Finaran Jedox Centre of Excellence