Ranking in ad hoc report

Ranking limits the report to the highest- or lowest-performing visible elements based on a selected value. Ranking displays a flat list of results and ignores hierarchy structures, which changes how elements are organized in the report. Because ranking filters the displayed data to a specific top or bottom count, ranking helps focus analysis on the most relevant results.

When you interact with the data grid, only one ranking or sorting criterion can exist per axis. When a new ranking criterion is applied, any existing sorting or ranking criterion on the same axis is automatically removed.

Multiple ranking criteria can exist on the same axis when GenAI generates a report or when you open a report from Application Studio. The report result depends on the order of criteria in the report definition.

Ranking applied to a column creates a ranking criterion on the row axis, using the selected column elements as its custom data area.

Ranking applied to a row creates a ranking criterion on the column axis, using the selected row elements as its custom data area.

Ranking applies to visible elements that are selected on the axis where the ranking criterion is defined. Dimensions that are not placed on the axis are resolved from the current report context.

Changes to slicer configuration or slicer selections do not invalidate ranking criteria that are applied to axes. Changes to element selections on the same and opposite axis do not invalidate ranking that is applied to a value row or value column.

Ranking is applied with Break Hierarchy enabled. Hierarchy modes that are defined at the hierarchy level are ignored. The report displays the ranked visible elements as a flat list. You cannot expand elements to display descendants.

Invalid ranking criteria

Ranking criteria are bound to a specific data context on report axes. Changes to the report layout, for example moving or swapping dimensions between axes, can invalidate existing criteria. When a ranking criterion becomes invalid, it is automatically removed either after a report interaction change or upon confirming the Report Designer dialog.

Ranking availability

Ranking is available as a contextual action. You can access ranking from the contextual menu with a right-click or from the contextual toolbar with a left-click

You can apply ranking from element headers on the row axis and the column axis.

For multiple dimensions on the column axis, ranking is available only for element headers in the innermost dimension that reference a single-value column.

Ranking is not available when multiple row or column element headers are selected.

Ranking options

The Rank menu contains count-based ranking options:

  • Top 5
  • Top 10
  • Top 20
  • Bottom 5
  • Bottom 10
  • Bottom 20
  • No Ranking

State indicator

The state indicator is applied in the Rank menu.

When no ranking criterion exists on an axis, No Ranking is selected by default.

When a ranking criterion exists on an axis:

  • If you select an element that uses the ranking criterion, the menu indicates the active ranking type. You can select a different ranking option.
  • If you select an element that is not part of the ranking context, No Ranking is selected. You can select a ranking option to replace the existing criterion.

Left-click interaction in the data grid

A left-click on an element header displays the contextual toolbar.

The Rank button appears as the leftmost button next to the existing contextual actions.

Click Rank to open the Rank menu.

Right-click interaction in the data grid

A right-click on an element header opens the contextual menu.

The Ranking option appears in a dedicated section above all existing contextual actions.

Hover over the Ranking option to open the Rank menu.

Ranking indicators in the Ad-hoc widget

When ranking is applied, dedicated indicators show the active ranking state.

Global toolbar tag:

  • Dedicated indicators show ranking that is applied to rows and columns.
  • When ranking is applied to both axes, the toolbar displays separate indicators for each axis.
  • A tooltip lists all ranking criteria for the selected axis.
  • Click Close to remove all ranking criteria from the report definition and remove the ranking indicators.

Per-element-header indicator:

  • Icon is placed on the right side of the column or row element header.
  • For multiple hierarchies on an axis, icon moves to the innermost dimension's header.
  • Hovering shows a tooltip with the criteria type caption.

Tooltip format:

Ranking: [Top/Bottom] [N] by [Context Element Name]

Examples:

  • Ranking: Top 10 by Revenue
  • Ranking: Bottom 20 by Product Cost

If multiple criteria exist on an axis, each criterion appears on a separate line in the tooltip.

When No Ranking is selected, no ranking indicator is displayed.

Removing ranking criteria from the report definition

You can remove ranking criteria in the following ways:

  • Click Close on the global toolbar tag.
  • Select No Ranking from the contextual menu when one criterion exists on the axis.