Report Builder
The Salesforce report creation and editing tool that provides a drag-and-drop interface for selecting report type, adding fields (columns), defining filters, choosing groupings, and configuring summary formulas.
Definition
The Salesforce report creation and editing tool that provides a drag-and-drop interface for selecting report type, adding fields (columns), defining filters, choosing groupings, and configuring summary formulas.
In plain English
“Report Builder is the Salesforce tool for creating and editing reports. It has a drag-and-drop interface where you pick a report type, add fields as columns, define filters, choose groupings, and configure summary formulas. It's how admins and users build custom reports.”
Worked example
The marketing-ops manager at Vesper Software builds a custom Lead-conversion report using Report Builder. She picks the "Leads with Converted Account" report type, drags the desired columns into the canvas (Lead Source, Created Date, Converted Date, Converted Account, Converted Amount), adds filters (Created in last 90 days, Status = Converted), and groups by Lead Source. Summary formulas calculate average days-to-convert and total converted revenue per source. The report saves to a shared folder for the team's quarterly review. Report Builder is the no-code canvas that puts custom analytics in admins' and end-users' hands without requiring SOQL or external BI tools.
Why Report Builder matters
Report Builder is the Salesforce report creation and editing tool that provides a drag-and-drop interface for selecting report type, adding fields (columns), defining filters, choosing groupings, and configuring summary formulas. It's the main tool for anyone building reports in Salesforce, supporting tabular, summary, matrix, and joined report formats with full customization.
Report Builder in Lightning Experience has been enhanced significantly over the Classic version, with better filtering, more chart options, and support for field-to-field filters, cross-filters, and row-level formulas. Mature orgs teach end users how to build their own reports through Report Builder, reducing the burden on admins and empowering users to answer their own questions. Investing in Report Builder literacy across the org pays off in analytics self-service.
How to set up Report Builder
Report Builder is the drag-and-drop tool for creating Salesforce reports — pick a Report Type, add columns, configure filters, set groupings and summary formulas. Lightning Report Builder is the modern flavor; Classic Report Builder still exists for legacy needs but new work should be Lightning.
- Open the Reports tab
App Launcher → Reports.
- Click New Report
Top-right of the list.
- Pick a Report Type
Standard or Custom Report Type. Drives which objects + fields are available. See custom-report-type for building new types.
- Set Report Properties
Name, Folder. Folder gates who can see the report.
- Drag fields onto Outline → Columns
Each field becomes a column. Drag to reorder. Remove via the column's X.
- Configure Filters
Standard Filters (Date Range, Field Operator), Cross Filters ("Accounts WITH Cases"), Field Filters (Field-Op-Value).
- Configure Grouping (Summary / Matrix reports)
Tabular: no grouping. Summary: 1-2 levels of row grouping. Matrix: row + column grouping.
- Configure Summary Formulas (optional)
Numeric formulas at row / grouping / grand-total level.
- Save → Run
Report saves; click Run to see results. Save & Close persists; Save & Run opens results immediately.
Standard or Custom. Drives objects + fields.
Tabular / Summary / Matrix / Joined.
Standard / Cross / Field. Up to 20 active filters.
Aggregate calculations at row / grouping / grand-total.
Color cells based on values.
- Tabular reports can't have summary formulas or charts. To add either, switch format to Summary or Matrix.
- Filters cap at 20 active. Complex filtering needs to be pushed up to formula fields or report-type design.
- Saving a report in a private folder hides it from teammates. Folder choice determines visibility — pick public folders for shared reports.
How organizations use Report Builder
Trains end users on Report Builder so they can create their own reports instead of asking admins.
Uses Report Builder features like cross-filters and row-level formulas for sophisticated analytics.
Treats Report Builder literacy as an important productivity skill across the org.
Trust & references
Straight from the source - Salesforce's reference material on Report Builder.
- Build a ReportSalesforce Help
- Summarize Report DataSalesforce Help
Test your knowledge
Q1. What is Report Builder?
Q2. What formats does it support?
Q3. Why train end users on Report Builder?
Discussion
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