Every category has a data type which can be defined as one of the following options:
- Value: shows the actual value of the category whenever the category is displayed. Possible value types are: integer, float, text, date, value list, or user name.
- Indicator: the category is symbolically represented by a colored icon (for example, a red circle, yellow diamond, green star, black triangle, or another defined indicator).
- Both (the default): the category will show both its value and its indicator wherever possible.
The way the category will be used determines whether values, indicators, or both are appropriate.
For example, a category called Monthly Budget needs to show its numeric values as the actual numbers are the most relevant information.
A category called Item Health could be represented by indicators, because the color coding can easily exhibit the health of the item.
A category called Planned versus Actual Budget could be represented by both values and indicators. The values would reflect the actual budget, while the indicators would reflect the adherence to the planned budget.
The value and/or indicator can represent a single data element associated with a single item; it can be a summary of data elements for a group of items (portfolio), or a group of portfolios (super-portfolio).
A cell is a specific category value of a specific item.
The value and/or indicator contained in a cell can be entered and updated either:
- Manually (this is the default option)
- Through a calculation
- Imported from an external database table