Defining Column Sets
A column set defines the format and content of the columns in an FSG report. In FSG, the commonly assumed attribute for a column definition is a time period (amount type), whereas the attribute for a row definition is an account assignment. Therefore, typical column sets include headings and subheadings, amount types, format masks, currency assignments, and calculation columns for totals.
When you define a column set, you can:
- Specify account balance types -- to include in the column. For example, you can define a column with actual, budget, or encumbrance amounts.
- Create Headings -- for your columns. You can also create relative headings, which change depending on the period of interest specified when you run the report.
- Define calculations -- to perform a variety of complex computations in your report. The calculations can reference other columns in the report.
- Specify formatting -- using format masks, which determine how numbers in your report are displayed.
You can define a new column set or use FSG's AutoCopy feature to copy an existing column set, which you can then edit as needed. You can also define column sets graphically, using the Column Set Builder.
To define a column set:
1. Navigate to the Column Set window.
2. Enter a Name and Description for the column set.
3. (Optional) Enter an Override Segment.
4. Choose Define Columns.
5. Enter the starting Position for each column. This is the number of characters from the left edge of the page that marks where each column starts. Consider the following factors when determining the starting positions of your columns:
- Total report width -- FSG prints reports in landscape mode, with up to 132, 180, or 255 characters per line, depending on the printers you have installed. Optionally, you can print reports in portrait mode (80 characters) by first setting the profile option FSG:Allow Portrait Print Style to Yes.
Note: Columns with positions that exceed the total report width will not appear on the report.
- Number of columns in the column set.
- Width of each column -- determined by the format mask and expected size of numbers to be displayed in the column.
- Starting position and width of previous columns.
- Currency profile options -- determine whether you are using thousands separators, as well as positive and negative number formats. If these options are enabled, you must provide enough space in your column width.
- Overall appearance -- balance and uniformity of spacing.
Additional Information: Row line labels appear to the left of the first column in your report. Thus, you control the width of the row line items when you set the position of the first column in your column set.
6. Enter a unique Sequence number for each column. You can use the sequence number to define column calculations.
Note: The sequence number does not control the order of the columns on a report like it does for rows in a row set. Instead, column order is determined by the column starting positions.
7. Enter a Format Mask to control the display of values which FSG prints in the column. See: Format Masks.
8. Enter a Factor (Billions, Millions, Thousands, Units, or Percentiles) that determines how to display numeric values.
For example, if you use the factor Thousands with the format mask 99,999,999.99, the number 23,910 will appear as 23.91 on your report. If you use the factor Percentiles with the format mask 99.99, the number .1258 will appear as 12.58 on your report. To display amounts using no factor, choose Units.
Suggestion: If you assign a factor besides Units to each of your columns, put the factor name in the related column headings so you can easily identify the factors on your report.
9. (Optional) Enter the Balance Control options, Advanced Options, and Display Options for each column.
Note: If you want to create a report which reverses the commonly assumed attributes for row sets and column sets, leave the Balance Control options blank on this window and set them on the Rows window instead.
10. (Optional) To create a calculation column (for variances, percentages, totals and subtotals), choose Calculations. To assign accounts to the column, choose Account Assignments.
Note: A column definition can have calculations or account assignments, but not both.
11. (Optional) To create an exception report, choose Exceptions.
12. Define additional columns for the column set (steps 5 through 11).
See Also
Balance Control Options
Column Set Advanced Options
Display Options
Defining Report Calculations
Assigning Accounts to a Report
Defining Column Exceptions
Creating Column Headings
Standard Column Sets
Defining Financial Reports
Copying Report Objects
Overview of Financial Statement Generator
Overview of Average Balance Processing
