Introduction
In today’s data-driven world, businesses rely on reports and dashboards to make informed decisions. Salesforce makes this easy with built-in tools that let you quickly build powerful visualizations and data summaries. In this blog, you'll learn how to create your first report and dashboard in Salesforce, step by step — no coding needed!
What is a Report in Salesforce?
A Report by the Salesforce is a list of records that meet specific criteria. It helps users analyze data, track performance, and make business decisions.
Example: A report showing all opportunities closing this month.
Types of Salesforce reports
A little bit of background: Salesforce reports are based on 'objects' in the system. An object is like a table with columns and rows. For example, an "Accounts" object might have columns for name, address, and contact information, and each row would contain information about a particular account.
Standard reports
Standard reports include columns from a single object, and you can choose which fields to include in the report. There are four Salesforce report types that fall under the category of standard reports:
Summary reports
A summary report allows you to group data by certain criteria. For example, if you wanted to look at total sales for each region, you could create a summary report that groups the data by region and shows the total sales for each one.
Matrix reports
If you need more flexibility in your reporting, then a matrix report is the way to go. These types of reports allow you to include multiple objects in a single report and can even have rows and columns that “cross” each other, like a pivot table in Excel.
Tabular reports
A tabular report has an extra layer of detail. It includes data from multiple objects and allows you to view related records in the same report. These are great for getting a fuller picture of the information you need.
Joined reports
These are the most complex types of reports. A joined report allows you to combine data from multiple objects and even create custom formulas and calculations, which are especially useful for forecasting.
Custom reports
Salesforce custom report types are created from scratch, meaning you can build your own report framework with a combination of fields and objects. These are incredibly powerful but also require a bit more technical know-how.
A custom report format is useful for getting a comprehensive view of your business data, and it can be used to track progress and performance over time. They are especially handy for complex forecasting scenarios and when you’re reporting on more than one object at a time.
What is a Dashboard in Salesforce?
A Dashboard is a visual representation of one or more reports using charts, gauges, and metrics.
Example: A dashboard showing pipeline by stage, total revenue, and top-performing reps.
Types of Dashboards in Salesforce
Dynamic Dashboards: These dashboards display data based on the logged-in user’s access and permissions, making them highly personalized.
Standard Dashboards: These are regular dashboards that display data to all users with access, irrespective of their permissions.
Most Used Dashboard Components
Step-by-Step: Create Your First Report
Step 1: Navigate to the Reports Tab
1. Log in to Salesforce.
2. Click on the App Launcher (grid icon) and search for "Reports".
3. Click New Report.
4. Select the object you want to report on (e.g., Opportunities).
5. Click Continue.
Step 2: Add Filters and Fields
1. Use the left panel to add fields (like Opportunity Name, Amount, Close Date).
2. Add filters like "Close Date = This Month".
3. Click Run to preview the report.
Step 3: Save and Name Your Report
1. Click Save & Run.
2. Enter a report name and select a folder (e.g., Public Reports).
3. Click Save.
Step-by-Step: Create a Dashboard
Step 1: Navigate to Dashboards Tab
1. Go to the Dashboards tab via App Launcher.
2. Click Create New Dashboard.
3. Give your dashboard a name (e.g., Sales Overview).
4. Choose a folder and click Create.
Step 2: Add Components
1. Click + Component.
2. Select a report you created earlier.
3. Choose a chart type (bar, pie, gauge, etc.).
4. Add titles and adjust settings as needed.
5. Click Add.
Step 3: Save and View
1. Click Save & Done.
2. Your dashboard is ready! Click Refresh to view updated data.