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Administrator Guide
Last Updated: 2026-05-29
Set Up Output Options for Custom Reports

Set Up Output Options for Custom Reports

Create a custom report.
Security: These domains in the System functional area:
  • Custom Report Creation
  • Manage: All Custom Reports
You can configure output display options, including:
  • Help text.
  • Output types to display your data as a chart, chart and table, gauge, table, or layout.
  • Time series.
  • Worklets.
Workday doesn't support output configurations for simple reports.
  1. Access the
    Edit Custom Report
     task.
  2. (Optional) Set up the
    Output Type
     section on the
    Output
     tab for these report types:
    • Advanced
    • Matrix
    • Trending
    (Advanced reports only.) You can select
    Gauge
     to specify the gauge range and metered values.
  3. As you complete the
    Chart Options
     section for
    Chart
     or
    Chart and Table
    , consider:
    Option Description
    Primary Axis
    Select the
    Chart Type
     you want to display and configure the applicable metrics and dimensions for that chart (such as the
    Legend
    ,
    Metrics to Include
    , or
    Color
    ).
    Select the horizontal/vertical axis of the chart by referencing the column grouping, the row grouping, or other specific metrics. If your matrix or trending report includes only 1 column grouping category, Workday doesn't display a legend.
    Funnel charts are available for matrix and trending reports only.
    Add Secondary Axis
    (Unavailable for advanced reports.) Select the check box to visualize changes in your data and compare metrics with different scales using dual axis charts. A dual axis enables you to overlay 2 of these chart types when you select 1 of them for the
    Primary Axis
    :
    • Area - Overlaid
    • Column - Clustered
    • Line
    Select the
    Metrics to Include
     and
    Secondary Vertical Axis Chart Types
     to use on the dual axis chart.
    Top n Values
    Enter the number of top results to display on your report.
    Select the
    Sum Remaining Values
     check box to display an
    Other
     option to view the remaining results. Clear the check box to exclude the remaining results.
    Example: You can enter
    10
     as the
    Top n Values
     to view only the top 10 of 22 locations based on the total salary expense of your organization. You can select the
    Sum Remaining Values
     check box to summarize the bottom 12 locations.
    Sum Remaining Values
    Use with the
    Top n Values
     option.
    Example: If you include only the top 10 locations out of 22, you can sum the remaining 12 locations into a single value labeled as
    Other
     on the chart.
    (Available for matrix and trending reports only.) Workday displays more than 1
    Other
     grouping if:
    • You select the
      Sum Remaining Values
       check box.
    • You enter values for the
      Maximum Number of Columns
      ,
      Maximum Number of Rows
      , or
      Top n Values
       fields on the
      Matrix
       tab.
    • Your data output exceeds the maximum number of columns, rows, or
      Top n Values
       you set up.
    Filter by
    Use with the
    Top n Values
     option.
    Example: You can filter the top 10 locations by annualized salary amount or by the last bonus amount.
    Target Line Type
    Set up these target line options for clustered or stacked bar and column charts:
    • Display one target line for all groups
      : Enables you to select a tenant-wide calculated field to use for drawing a single target line on the chart. You can enter a value for the
      Target Line Label
      .
    • Display multiple target lines for each group
      : Enables you to display a unique target line for each group displayed in a bar or column chart. Include at least 1 numeric or currency report field to use as a target line on the
      Advanced
       tab of the report.
    Horizontal/Vertical Axis Scale
    Available for these chart types:
    • Clustered column
    • Clustered bar
    • Area overlaid
    • Line
    If you enter an increment, maximum, or minimum fixed value, it must match the format selected on the
    Columns
     tab.
    Example: If the maximum value is
    5,000
     and the format on the
    Columns
     tab is
    #,##0,"K"
    , enter
    5
     in the
    Maximum Value
    Fixed
     field.
    When plotting multiple metrics, Workday uses the format of the first metric plotted, based on the sequence of the metrics on the
    Columns
     tab.
    Advanced
    Select the
    Show Data Labels
     check box to compare and analyze different data points within the chart. This shows data labels for all metrics configured on the chart output.
    Quadrants
    Available for scatter chart types.
    Select
    Enable Quadrants
     and select the report fields that set up the
    Horizontal Quadrant Line
     and the
    Vertical Quadrant Line
    .
    Enter the numeric values where you want the quadrant lines to intersect and specify colors for each quadrant. You can assign a specific Sentiment to each quadrant to automatically color the data marks (for example, a positive sentiment applies Green, while a negative sentiment applies Red).
  4. (Optional) Set up the
    Worklet Options
    .
    Worklet Options
     are unavailable for search reports.
    Before you can add this report as a worklet to a dashboard, you must also share the report with the security groups you want to access the dashboard.
  5. As you complete the
    Enable as Worklet
     section, consider:
    Option Description
    Available On
    Select the dashboards or landing pages on which to display your worklet. Select
    Mobile Reports
     to enable your report for mobile use.
    Maximum Number of Rows
    You can't set a maximum number of rows for advanced reports that include:
    • Sub Level Sorts.
    • Subfilters.
    Maximize Report Options
    Select how the worklet behaves when you click
    View More...
     and maximize the report:
    • Display this Worklet when Maximized
      : Workday runs the report definition as a normal Workday report.
    • Run a Different Report when Maximized
      : You can specify a report that you have the security to run. If you don't have security access or the report no longer exists, Workday displays the worklet as a maximized report.
    For dashboards with prompt sets, clicking
    View More...
     enables you to view and change prompt values populated by Workday.
    Refresh Data
    When you select:
    • Every Time
      , Workday refreshes the worklet data every time you access the page the worklet is on.
    • Every Sign In
      , Workday refreshes the worklet data only when you sign in to Workday. The data will remain cached for the duration of your session.
  6. (Optional) In the
    Help Text
     section, enter text in the
    More Info
     field that provides additional information to help users understand the results of the report.
    For reports you run in the browser, Workday displays the text above the report results. For worklets, the text displays when you click
    More Information
     under the gear icon.
  7. (Optional) Set up the
    Time Series Options
     for these report types:
    • Matrix
    • nBox
    • Trending
    Workday selects the
    Include All Time Periods
     check box to include time periods for reports. When the report runs, Workday prompts users for the
    Time Series Start Date
     and
    Time Series End Date
    .