Show the Meaning of Conditional Formatting on a Report

Jeff Kline

So I have a sheet and rows are color coded based on certain information. Check a box and the Row is purple. Check another box and the row is red, etc.

I have a report that shows that formatting perfectly. I would like to add a information to the report that tells the reader what the colors mean. In Excel I can add a textbox to a sheet. Any thoughts on how to show this?

BTW, the Report is a bit too big to display in a Dashboard with the legend in a text field.

Thanks

James Keuning

I have given up on using Smartsheet reporting. I use the live data connector and do my reporting in Excel or Access. We have Enterprise, and I think that's a requirement for the LDC.

https://www.smartsheet.com/marketplace/apps/live-data-connector

My latest efforts are focused on using Power BI Paginated Reports so I can keep everything in the cloud, but we are only in the earliest stages of that.

But I will watch this question because if there is a solution I'd like to know!

Genevieve P.

Hey @Jeff Kline (and @James Keuning!)

There currently isn't a way to set a column description or summary field in a report - please add your vote and voice to this Product Idea thread, here: Adding Column Descriptions to Reports

Putting the Report in a Dashboard with a Rich Text widget is exactly what I would have suggested. The alternative is to have a row at the top of one of your sheets that has the explanation typed out, and ensure that row is in included in the Report as well.

Cheers,

Genevieve

Jeff Kline

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/369397#Comment_369397

Thanks. I think allowing more design controls on reports is vital. They are great tools and we just need more flexibility. I thought about the first row, but that feels inelegant. It also messes up the naturally built in numbered column on the left (which I can replace, and might).

Jeff Kline

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/369360#Comment_369360

@James Keuning I understand and would love that option, but I am some poor schmuck that has no formal training, but is a real nerd. Pretty good with Excel and dabble in Access. So it is my task to do something pretty simple for a our facility. :-)