Define the columns in the Profitability Analysis report

Related topics

The following describes how to define the columns you want displayed on the report. This is simple drag and drop process selecting from:

Calculation components (if a calculation was created on the Calculations page for the report)
Balance components
Contribution components

Note: By default, the Code and Description columns for the selected key(s) are automatically created.

To define more columns do as follows:

Select the Manage PA definitions menu item and open the applicable definition, (if this has not already been done)
Toggle to the Columns page.

Available components
This box displays all available components, logically grouped according to their classification. The following groups exist:

Identity components: These are automatically generated by the system and contain the Code and Description of each key in the selection.
Calculation components: This group of components will only be displayed if you created a calculation via the Calculation page. The components you included in the calculation will be available to define as column headers.
Balance components: These are the existing Balance components, which could be grouped per Balance component category (if any exist).
Contribution components: These are pre-defined components and include Contribution, Contribution % and Suggested profitability code.

Note: There are certain stipulations when creating columns for Contribution components. See Creating columns for contribution components below for that information.

Adding columns:
When you have found the component from the available list, drag and drop it into the top middle section of the window. The Select value type for column window prompts where you choose if you want the value to be a Value or a Percent or Text.

Tip: If you select to add a column as a percentage you must also select the component that the component you are currently adding is to be compared to in order to calculate a percentage.

Repeat for all components that you want displayed as columns.

Creating columns for contribution components
When creating these columns you have the following options. You can:

Let the system automatically create them.

Note: This automatic creation method can be done either via this Columns page or via the Profitability page (see Define the components in the Profitability Analysis report for those instructions).

Manually create them by dragging and dropping the applicable Contribution component(s) from the Available list to the top middle section of the window.

Automatic creation via this Columns page:
You must first define one of the existing columns as the Net contribution column (meaning the values in this column will be used to calculate the Net contribution values). To define the Net contribution column do as follows:

Click the mouse once in the Is Net contribution column for the column that you want to be your Net contribution column. Check the box that appears.
You will receive a Question window:

Click Yes if you want the system to automatically create these columns and then the >>> button beside this column to update this information. The result is that these three extra columns will be added. In addition, the Net contribution column will also be updated in the Net contribution field on the Profitability page. All you need to do then is choose the Calculation Base component on that page (see Define the components in the Profitability Analysis report).

Note: If you answer No to the message you can manually choose which of the three components you want to add as columns. (see Manual creation via this Columns page below).

Manual creation via this Columns page:
Before you can manually create any or all of the three Net contribution columns, you must have done the following:

Selected the column that is to be your Net Contribution column (as described above) but answered No to the Question window that appears asking if you want to automatically create these columns.

You can then manually drag the applicable Contribution components(s) from the Available list to the applicable location in the top middle section of the window.

Changing information
You can always change any of the following information by either clicking in the applicable cell, or using the grey middle section of the window to change the information:

Tip: If you change any information by clicking in the applicable cell, click the >> icon at the very left of the table, to update the change for the line.

Name of the Column heading
Column Value type: As a value, percent or text (if applicable)
Alignment of the values displayed
Width of the column
Contribution settings

Tip: The order and width of the columns can also be changed by dragging the columns in the preview container located at the bottom of the window. When changing the order of columns, place the cursor over the applicable column heading. The cursor changes to a hand. Click the left mouse button which grabs the top of the column heading and drag it to the location desired.