When defining a form, you specify the characteristics used in the columns and rows of your report. Then you enter the values for the characteristics you require.

Normally, you proceed as follows:

1. You define the characteristics used in all columns of your report.

Example: Actual data is entered in all columns of a yearly comparison of actual data to actual data. In this case, the characteristic is "actual data". You enter "0" as the characteristic value for actual data.

2. You define the characteristics used in individual columns.

Example: Data from a specific fiscal year is entered in the first column of the yearly comparison of actual data. This case refers to time, so the characteristic is "fiscal year". You can enter either fixed values or variables as the characteristic values.

3. You must also define the characteristics used in the individual rows of the key figure report.

Example: Financial statement items are entered in the lines of a key figure report. In this case, the characteristic is "financial statement item". You then choose certain items from the desired financial statement version as the characteristic values.

When creating a report, you can choose the characteristics required for your evaluation from a list of entries. These characteristics are called drill-down characteristics, which enable you to navigate anywhere you want within a report, for example, from company to company code or to business area.