Building a report in Lightning Experience means opening Report Builder, choosing a report type, then shaping columns, groupings, and filters until the preview answers your question. Here is the core path from a blank report to a saved, runnable one.
- Open Report Builder
From the Reports tab, click New Report. In the Create New Report window, search for and select the report type that holds the objects and fields you need, then click Start Report. The builder opens in edit mode with settings on the left and a live preview on the right.
- Add and summarize columns
Use the Fields panel to drag fields onto the preview, or click Add Column. Open a numeric column action menu and choose Summarize to total it by Sum, Average, Max, or Min. Remove any column you do not need; this only drops it from the report, not from the object.
- Group to set the format
Add a row grouping to turn the flat list into a summary report with subtotals, and add a column grouping to make it a matrix. The format follows your groupings automatically. Group date fields by month, quarter, or year to see trends over time.
- Filter to the records you want
On the Filters tab, set Show Me and the date range, then add field filters. Use a cross filter with WITH or WITHOUT to include related records by existence, and use filter logic with AND or OR for precise conditions.
- Save to a folder and run
Click Save, give the report a name and description, and pick a folder, since the folder controls who can see it. Click Run to load the full results. Optionally click Add Chart, or subscribe to receive the report on a schedule.
Chosen in the Create New Report window before the builder opens. It fixes the available objects, fields, and record scope, and cannot be changed once the report is open.
A label entered at save time. It appears in folders, search, and any dashboard that sources this report.
Where the report is stored. Folder sharing decides whether the report stays private to you or is visible to a role, group, or the whole org.
- Once the report is open you cannot change its report type. If the type is wrong, start a new report rather than trying to fix it in place.
- An A-with-B report type only returns records that have a related record, so an Accounts with Opportunities report silently omits accounts that have no opportunities.
- Charts and summary formulas both require at least one grouping. Add the grouping first or those options stay unavailable.
- Row-level formulas are capped at two per report and five unique fields each, and they live on the Outline panel, not the Fields panel.