Tables

Tables can be used on story pages to view and analyze data.

For tables that are based on models, the available features and options depend on the model type (for example, planning, analytic, or other model types). Only the features and options that are supported by the model type are visible. For example, tables based on planning models allow users to make changes to the model data using version management, data entry, and allocations.

Story Page Types: Canvas, Responsive, or Grid?

Some features may not be handled in the same way on all page types.

Features Canvas Responsive Grid
Using Models Tables are integrated with an underlying Model. Tables are integrated with an underlying Model. Tables may be related to a model but it is also possible to create blank tables and type or paste the data in manually.
Positioning Table tiles can be moved around just like other tiles. Table tiles can be moved around just like other tiles. You can change the position of the table by adding rows and columns above or to the left of the table.
Creating Input Tasks Select the table and in the Tools menu, select Create Input Task. Not Applicable Not Applicable
Designing Tables

When you add a table to a Story, a data grid is created with the basic dimensions and categories of the model aligned along the axes of the grid. You can change this basic layout using the Designer tools.

Use the Builder to select the measures and dimensions to include in the rows and columns of your table.

Use the Styling tools to enhance the presentation.

Use the Examine panel to create charts and visualizations based on selected areas of the data in your table.

You can add multiple measures and multiple dimensions to your table. When measures or dimensions are part of a hierarchy or when a dimension has attributes, you can expand them and select their children or expand a dimension and select its attributes. You can also apply filters to your measures and dimensions. The table is updated as you make your choices in the Builder.

Tips and Best Practices

Here are some tips and suggestions to improve your tables.

  • Be aware of drill limitations.

    To have decent performance for initial data queries, the result is limited to 500 rows by 60 columns. A warning is issued when the server would return more rows or columns for the given selection.
    Example
    “784 rows and 73 columns of data are requested, but the drill limit is set to 500 rows and 60 columns.”

    You can choose to either change the filters to return fewer results or edit the drill limits and retrieve more data.

    Remember

    Editing the drill limits changes the table results when you are viewing the story, but they aren't saved. To see the new table results the next time you open the story, change the drill limits and then save your story.

General Tasks
Feature Description
Creating a Table Add a table to any story or analytic applications page.
Beta Table Features and Limitations When adding new features and changing existing features in tables, there is the potential to cause problems. Therefore, instead of replacing known behavior, we are providing a beta table that you can use to test the new functionality.
Modifying a Table Change the default design of a table in the Builder tab.
Running Simulations on Embedded Data Temporarily change values in a table based on embedded data.
Styling Options for Tables on a Canvas Page Change the look of a Table tile including its placement on the Canvas page, border format, cell highlighting, and so on.
Styling a Table on a Grid Page Style the appearance of a table on a grid page by changing fonts, colors, alignment, and so on.
Table Menu Options on Story Pages There are several options available in table-specific action and context menus.
Keyboard Command List for Tables A list of key combinations (keyboard shortcuts) that can be used to move around within tables or the Version Management panel.
Tasks - Adding Features
Feature Description
Adding Dynamic Text to a Table Title Add dynamic text to a table title, so that your interactions with the table, such as applying story and table filters, are reflected in the title.
Adding Comments to a Data Cell View and create comments on table data cells.
Adding In-Cell Charts to Table Measures Add a small bar chart to each cell of a measure in a table column or row.
Applying a Table Filter Filter cells to focus on a specific set of data in a table or you can exclude non-relevant cells.
Tasks - Modifying Table Contents
Feature Description
Cell References When you copy a cell in a table and paste it to a cell in a grid that does not belong to a table, a cell reference is created.
Create New Dimension Members Without Leaving Your Table No need to leave your story to add new dimension members: add them to your table and let the system update the master data.
Creating a Forecast or Rolling Forecast Layout Create a forecast or rolling forecast layout to look back at Actuals data for time periods before a cut-over date, and look ahead to forecast data for subsequent time periods.
Deleting Values in a Table Remove values from a planning model and publish the change on a grid page.
Copying and Pasting Cell Values Copy and paste cell values, the underlying values of their leaf members, formulas and create references between cells in tables and grids.
Value Sorting Sort dimension values in a table.
Migrating KPIs to Thresholds When you open an existing story that has tables with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), the Table KPIs will automatically be migrated to Story Thresholds.
Tasks - Formula and Calculations
Feature Description
The Formula Bar Use the formula bar to calculate values in empty table rows and columns, or cells outside a table.
Aggregation Aggregate values in a table.
Creating Calculations from Table Rows or Columns Select one or more measure headers in a table and use them to create calculation rows or columns.
Adding Calculated Rows and Columns in a Table Add a calculated member to any dimension in a table by inserting a blank row or column next to an existing dimension member, and typing a formula.
Tasks - Currencies in Tables
Feature Description
Displaying Currencies in Tables When you have data from multiple currencies, you can change the currencies that are displayed by working with either the Cross Calculations dimension, or the currency dimension for the model.
Adding a Currency Conversion Row or Column Use the Calculation Editor to add a currency conversion row or column to your table.
Selecting Currency Conversions Select the currency displayed in a table so that rows or columns with the selected currencies will appear in the table.
Planning with Currency Conversion Perform planning operations on a single target currency, such as the default currency, or on one or more source currencies.
Example: Applying a Rate Version to a Forecast This example describes how currency conversion features can help you adjust forecasts when exchange rate predictions change.
Tasks - Entering Values in a Table
Feature Description
Entering Values in a Table Create and edit model values by typing in the table cells when you are working with a table based on a planning model.
Entering Multiple Values in a Table Enter multiple values in a table without waiting for the system to update between entries.
Disaggregation of Values during Data Entry Automatically spread a value to leaf members that aggregate up to the cell in which you enter the value.
Entering Values with Dynamic Time Filters In a table based on a planning model, you can enter data into cells calculated by dynamic time filters, including member functions such as YTD.
Entering Values with Multiple Hierarchies When you enter planning data for a dimension with multiple hierarchies, you can end up with values booked directly to parent nodes in some of the hierarchies.
About Value Lock Management Prioritize locks and data entry for table cells.
Tasks - Input Tasks
Feature Description
About Input Tasks Create an Input task that requests colleagues to provide additional data or feedback, A task is created and sent to the colleague, who adds the requested information and then returns the task.
Creating an Input Task Create an input task to gather data from colleagues.
Working with an Assigned Input Task When a task is assigned to you, you must accept it before you can work on it or mark it as completed.
Creator/Approver: Working with Input Tasks As the creator of the input task (Approver), you mark an input task as completed or provide other feedback based on how the task is returned to you.
Tasks - Version Management
Feature Description
About Version Management Version management lets you use the existing categories in a table to create new private versions. It also lets you change the category when you create a new public version.
Creating Versions To create a new version, copy an existing version to a private version and then edit the new version.
Making Private Versions Public Save a private version to make it public, either in the same category or as a different category.
Sharing Private Versions Share a private version of a table with other users.
Editing Public Versions Editing a public version creates a temporary private version.
Finalizing Public Version Edits When you have finished editing your public version, your edits can either be discarded or published to a public version.
About the Version History Panel Use the history panel to quickly undo or redo private version changes.
Mapping Versions for Usage in the Variance Chart Map the versions in order to use them in the variance chart.
Tasks - Predictive Time Series Forecasting
Feature Description
Predictive Time Series Forecasting When working with planning models, you can run predictive time series forecasts on your data within a story grid or table.
Running a Predictive Time Series Forecast Run a time series forecast on a single cell in a table using data from a planning model.