By clicking on a Data Block, you can configure additional settings and properties for it in the Data Block settings.
Data Block settings let you configure how a Block retrieves, calculates, displays, and writes data in a Layout. Some settings are available for all Objects. Other settings depend on the Block type or the Object that uses the Layout.
For the specific settings of individual Objects, refer to the sections and pages dedicated to each of them under the Screens > Objects categories.
When a Block setting does not work with the current configuration, the Layout Editor shows the "SOLVE ISSUES" button. Click "SOLVE ISSUES" to review the configuration error.
This article outlines the following:
Block settings common to all Screen Objects. Click on the Block setting to read about it in its dedicated article.
Block settings common but not to all Screen Objects. Click on the Block setting to read about it in its dedicated article.
Block settings common to all Screen Objects
Some settings may not be applicable to certain Blocks or may not work with specific Screen Objects. In these cases, the "SOLVE ISSUES" button at the bottom right corner of the Layout Editor appears as soon as the system detects any configuration error: click on the button to receive further information about incorrect Block settings.
The following Block settings are always available, regardless of the Screen Object associated with the Layout that you're configuring:
Block setting | Use it to | Availability |
|---|---|---|
Configure the Block type, heading, totals, display format, tooltip, and visibility. | Common setting. Some options do not apply to Flex Grid. | |
Apply conditional formatting to cell values based on thresholds. | Common setting for supported numeric Blocks. | |
Enable write-back and configure how users enter cell values in a Block. | Available when the Block type and user permissions support Data Entry. | |
Compare periods, calculate cumulative values, forecast values, or apply rolling calculations. | Commonly used with numeric Cube Blocks that use Time Entities. | |
Apply analytical, time series, or statistical calculations. | Available for supported Layouts with Time Entities. | |
Return values for a fixed Entity member, regardless of the current Selection. | Available for Cube Blocks. | |
Apply a Rule to a Data Block and configure total behavior. | Available when the Block uses a Rule. | |
Aggregate Cube values at a higher Entity level. | Available for Cube Blocks. |
Common settings but not to all Screen Objects
The following settings are available, but not to all Objects:
Block setting | Use it to | Availability |
|---|---|---|
Displays values across columns by Entity. | Data View and Flex Grid specific. | |
Configure aggregation over a target Entity, such as distinct count, average, or sum. | Available for supported Cube Blocks. Not supported by Flex Grid. | |
Add spreadsheet-like formulas to a Data View. | Not supported by Flex Grid. |
Block settings Main options
The Main options subpage allows you to configure basic visual settings. The following options are common to all Objects except the Flex Grid.
See the Flex Grid Layout article for more information about it’s Main option properties.
Block Type. Choose the Data Block type:
Cube. Choose the Cube from which to reference data.
Algorithm. Type in the algorithm.
Algorithm type. Choose the type of algorithm: Numeric, Text, Date, or Picture.
Read more about Algorithms.
Entity. Choose the Entity from which to reference data.
Display mode. Choose the way to display the Entity member: Default, Code, Description, or Code & Description
Ranking. Choose the type of ranking: Vertical%, Cumulated Vertical %, Counter, Cumulated Counter &, Cumulated Value, 80-95 Ranking.
Read more about Ranking Functions.
Rule. Choose the Rule you want to apply to the data.
Apply on totals. If activated, it applies the Rule also on totals.
Rollup. Enables the automatic roll-up on the Data Block. A Roll-up Entity is an Entity whose members have a hierarchical coding structure. When a Roll-up Entity is used in a report, Board will automatically calculate totals and subtotals on rows which are "parent" of "child" rows (i.e. the code of an occurrence represents the beginning of the code of other members that are at a more detailed level).
Disable unbalance hierarchy. Disables the unbalanced Entity hierarchy aggregation on the Data Block.
Heading. Allows a custom column header name of a Data Block. If omitted, the column header name will reflect the Cube name, The Entity name, the algorithm formula, the Rule name or the Ranking function name as shown in the Data Block list.
Depending on the type of Screen Object, headings may not be displayed. Depending on the Data type added to the Block list, the Heading menu may offer additional settings: for example, under the heading for an algorithm the actual formula is displayed, along with the algorithm type dropdown menu.
Summary. Defines the method for calculating row and column totals.
On a Block with an algorithm, a Rule, or a Ranking function the options are:
Average. Returns the average of values in the column.
Count. Returns number of entries in the column.
Calculated. The formula is re-applied on rows and columns totals. This option should be selected, for example, for an algorithm that calculates a percentage or any other formula that contains a division.
Maximum value. Returns the maximum value in the column.
Minimum value. Returns the minimum value in the column.
Total. Totals are calculated by adding the values.
Additional Summary options for a Cube Block:
No total. Totals are disabled, so the column and row totals cells are blank.
Standard deviation. Returns the standard deviation for the values in the column.
If the "Summary" setting for Data Blocks is set to an option other than "Total" and "No total" and the "View totals on expanded groups" property is enabled for a Data View, group totals will be displayed only at the most nested level in the Data View. This is a known limitation.
Last. Returns the last cell content including 0 or nothing
This option only applies to Blocks with a numeric Cube.
Last with value. Returns the last value and skips 0/nothing
This option only applies to Blocks with a numeric Cube.
First. Returns the first cell content including 0 or nothing
First with value. Returns the first value and skips 0/nothing
Digits. Sets the number of decimal digits to display.
This option only applies to numeric values.
Divide by. Divides values by the specified number. This option can be used to display values in thousands or millions.
This option can be applied only to Blocks with a numeric Cube.
Tooltip by. Displays information based on the content of another Block of the Layout (numbers, text, images, file attachments and more).
The Tooltip by function is particularly useful when used in conjunction with BLOB cubes because it can "link" comments, images, Excel files and more generally any file attachment to any cell of a report (except headers).The Tooltip option can reference any Block of the Layout, including BLOB Cubes. In this case, data entry can also be enabled on the referenced BLOB Cube.
Hide Block. When enabled, it hides the corresponding Block.
Hide zeroes. When enabled, cells that contain a zero value (0) are displayed as blank.
Row totals. Enables or disables the calculation of row totals. This option applies only when the Layout has at least one Entity set by column.