Creating Report Blueprints
A Report Blueprint is a reusable template that defines the structure and content of your Reports. You author Report Pages and typed Report Elements in the blueprint editor. Changes apply to future Save Snapshot / Preview Report runs only—they do not rewrite Reports already in history.
Opening the Blueprint Editor
Section titled “Opening the Blueprint Editor”From Reports:
- Click Create to start a new Report Blueprint, or
- Open an existing blueprint from the list
The editor shows each Report Page as its own sheet, sized to the blueprint’s paper format. Place Report Elements on each page’s 12-column grid.
When Eric is available and you have Main Eric Chat access, In-Report Eric opens on a new or header-only blueprint so you can describe the report you want. Eric can add pages, place elements, and update the live blueprint composition. Click an element on the canvas while In-Report Eric is open to attach it as context for your next message. Use Open in Eric chat to continue the same session in Main Eric Chat.
When Eric saves blueprint changes from In-Report Eric, the canvas reloads with his updates. Any layout edits you had not yet saved are replaced.
Blueprint Basics
Section titled “Blueprint Basics”Title and description
Section titled “Title and description”Set the blueprint title (and optional description) in the editor. The title appears in the blueprint list and on saved Reports. Changing the title renames the live blueprint; it does not rename historical Reports.
Page Size
Section titled “Page Size”Choose Page Size in the blueprint header: Letter, Legal, Tabloid, or A4. The setting applies to every generated page in Preview and Save Snapshot PDFs. The canvas sizes each Report Page from that paper size and the page’s orientation.
Layout saves
Section titled “Layout saves”Page layout edits save automatically. Save Snapshot and Preview Report wait for any pending layout save before generating the PDF. Element definitions still save from the Report Element Workspace.
Report Pages
Section titled “Report Pages”A blueprint is an ordered list of Report Pages. Each authored page becomes its own PDF sheet and has its own 12-column grid.
- Use Add page in the editor rail to add another sheet.
- Turn Landscape on when a page should use landscape geometry in the PDF.
- Reorder or remove pages with the page toolbar controls. A blueprint must keep at least one page.
Tables can span extra PDF sheets when their data has more rows than fit in the authored tile. Those continuation sheets carry only the remaining table rows; you do not place other elements on them. Text stays inside its tile. Charts, metrics, images, and headers stay within their authored size.
When a table’s preview data exceeds its tile, the editor may show a short continuation hint below that page. The hint is editor-only and is not printed. Use Preview Report to check PDF pagination before saving a snapshot.
Report Elements
Section titled “Report Elements”Add elements from the canvas chrome. Element types:
| Type | Role |
|---|---|
| Header | Title / framing copy for a page or band |
| Text | Supporting paragraphs and labels |
| Metric | Single-value KPI visuals |
| Table | Tabular data |
| Chart | Chart visuals |
| Image | Company image asset or public HTTPS image URL |
A new blueprint seeds one header element. Data-backed metric, table, and chart elements use Query Dataset–style definitions edited in the Report Element Workspace (definition YAML, Supporting QD, and a typed visual preview).
Image elements show one company Report Image Asset or one public HTTPS URL. Open the Image workspace to pick from the gallery, upload PNG/JPEG/WebP/GIF files, or paste a URL, then set alt text and fit (Contain or Cover). Preview Report and Save Snapshot require every Image to have a resolved source. Assets are reusable across blueprints; you can archive an asset only when no live Image element still references it.
Opening a Report Element enters the Report Element Workspace. In-Editor Eric is docked on the left and can revise the open element definition and any dirty Supporting Query Dataset buffers. Eric’s edits apply to unsaved buffers; you choose when to Save. Undo changes reverts Eric’s buffer edits from the current editing streak before you save.
Report Elements are not Dashboard widgets. Deleting a Dashboard widget does not remove or warn about Report Elements.
Layout
Section titled “Layout”- Place and resize elements on each page’s 12-column grid
- Move elements within and across pages when the Move flow is available
- Keep layouts readable for print; dense grids are harder to scan on PDF
Optional Report Style on the blueprint and per-element style nests control box model, typography, and colors for canvas preview, workspace preview, and Report PDF. Prefer the structured style fields over freeform CSS.
Report Generation Parameters
Section titled “Report Generation Parameters”Declare named Report Generation Parameters on the blueprint when queries or text interpolation need values at generation time (for example an employee id). Save Snapshot and Preview Report collect those values in a modal when any are declared. Report Download from history does not re-prompt for parameters.
Canvas Preview and Reload Data
Section titled “Canvas Preview and Reload Data”While editing, the canvas loads typed visuals for placed elements (skeleton until each cell resolves). Use Reload Data in the header to re-run canvas previews for every placed element. Reload shares a busy gate with Save, Save Snapshot, and Preview so generation and a full reload do not overlap.
Canvas preview uses empty Report Generation Parameters. Parameterized fidelity belongs to Save Snapshot / Preview.
Preview Report and Save Snapshot
Section titled “Preview Report and Save Snapshot”From the blueprint editor header (requires Report Write Permission):
- Preview Report — saves any pending layout, collects declared parameters, renders a PDF, and downloads it without creating a Report
- Save Snapshot — same path, but creates a Report, stores the Report PDF, and downloads it
Both use the product print route. Prefer Save Snapshot when you want a durable history item; use Preview to check layout without adding history rows.
Managing Blueprints From the List
Section titled “Managing Blueprints From the List”From Reports:
- Open a row to edit
- Delete a blueprint with confirm when you have write access — this removes the template only; existing Reports and Report PDFs remain
- Open Report History (
/reports/history) for company-wide saved Reports
Best Practices
Section titled “Best Practices”Start simple. One page and a few elements beat a dense first draft.
Author detail in the blueprint. Put supporting tables or metrics under charts instead of relying on an interactive viewer.
Name clearly. Blueprint titles show up in lists and help identify saved Reports.
Declare parameters deliberately. Only add Report Generation Parameters you will supply at Save Snapshot / Preview.
Check PDF early. Use Preview Report before saving snapshots for a batch of history items.