Insert manual input columns
Inforiver provides six different options to manually enter data in your Power BI report which are listed below. Data can be entered in a single cell or several cells at the same time and they can be formatted in a variety of ways. There are several settings that you can adjust to make data entry easier for you.
Double-click and start typing values in directly into a cell
Enter text with multi-line support and word wrap
Use the available presets or create your own list of values; supports both single-select and multi-select
Add a date from the calendar/date picker
Used in case of binary selections
Input users from your organization (only available in Inforiver Writeback Matrix)
Inforiver Reporting Matrix offers only the first five types. Input types and features specific to Inforiver Writeback Matrix are covered in a later section.
In this video, we discuss the data input functionality in the reading and editing modes.
1. Sign in
If you are using Inforiver Writeback Matrix, you need to sign in as shown below.
Once you sign in successfully, your profile picture will be displayed as seen in the image.
You can now start inserting a column to capture your data inputs by clicking the Data Input dropdown in the Insert tab.
Before we look at inserting data input columns, let's look at some common properties available for all the input types.
2. Common properties
2.1. Insert as
Data input columns can be inserted as a measure or a column.
Visual measure: If a column dimension or hierarchy is added to the visual, the input column is inserted for each category. In the case of no column dimensions, a single column is inserted.
In the image, a text column has been inserted as a measure by selecting Insert as > Visual Measure.
Visual column: Irrespective of whether there is a column hierarchy or not, a single column gets inserted.
In the image, a text column has been inserted as a column by selecting Insert as > Visual column.
2.2. Input type
Seamlessly switch between different data input types such as number, text, checkbox, single select, multi-select, etc.
2.3. Default value
Default values help ensure reports are complete by reducing empty fields, and they also help users understand the type of data that is expected in data input fields. Learn more about configuring default values.
In this example, notice how a default value of 2.5m is applied to the child rows of the data input measure.
2.4. Allow entry on totals/subtotals
Check this option if data entry can be permitted on parent-level rows in a hierarchy. In this sales report, we are able to make entries for the Grand total, 'Furniture', 'Office Supplies', and 'Technology' rows as the Allow entry on Totals/Subtotals option has been enabled.
2.5. Prevent null
In standard reporting practices, null values should not be permitted on fields such as currency codes, process status, or dates. By default, the Prevent Null option is disabled, and empty data input cells are allowed. When the Prevent Null option is enabled, you will have to specify a default value. Notice how the x option to remove a value is disabled when Prevent Null is turned on.
2.6. On change formula
Automatically run scripts when data changes in the data input field. This feature listens for updates, inserts, or deletions and executes your custom logic in real time, enabling automation, validation, and integrations without manual intervention.
The image demonstrates how we can use scripting functions to send emails or set the value of another data input field in response to data changes.
Learn more about approval workflows.
Learn more about scripting functions.
2.7. Allow input
By default, inputs are enabled in both read and edit modes in Power BI. But, based on your requirement, you can allow inputs only in edit mode or based on a formula.
In PowerBI edit mode
The text editor is disabled in reading mode.
In both Power BI read and edit mode
When this option is selected, you can enter data in the reading view as shown below.
Based on formula
You can allow data input only if a certain condition is met. The formula entered should return a Boolean value.
In the image, data input is allowed only if (AC -PL) < 0. You can see that the text fields for 'International', 'APAC', and 'EMEA' are greyed out, and editing is disabled.
3. Access control
Inforiver Writeback Matrix allows setting explicit read/write access on data input columns for specific users. To set user access control, open the Manage Columns menu and click on the user icon.
In the Data Input Access dialog box, you can assign access to users for each column or measure.
4. Model View Icon
In Reporting Matrix, you can now group columns of your choice and manage them together by clicking on the Model view icon under manage columns.
In the Model view pop-up, click on the Add Group options.
Add group option in Model View
In the Add View pop-up, enter the Group name and select the measures to be grouped, and click Save.
Naming and Grouping of Measures in Add View.
You can now see the Columns being grouped under the group name under Manage columns. Expand the group name to view the measures within.
In the image below, the Price list is the group that contains the measures Standard Sell, Cost, and List Price.
Grouped Columns
5. FAQs
1) Can multiple users enter data in a single published report?
Yes. When you use Inforiver Writeback Matrix, multiple users can enter data in the same form in the reading view. Using the audit module, you can also keep track of changes made to your table made by different users.
2. Will a user be able to see data entered by other users?
By default, yes. But if you enable row-level security, users will be able to see only the records they are authorized to see.
3. This is too good to be true. Is there something specific I should set up or configure so that my users can enter data?
Nothing. Just add the Inforiver Writeback Matrix visual to your report, and use the 'Data Input' feature to add fields of various types.
4. All of this is great. Can I write back this data to a database?
Yes. You can write back data to a destination database or shared drive storage. Inforiver supports destinations such as SQL Server, Snowflake, Azure SQL, BigQuery, MySQL, SharePoint, OneDrive, and more. You may also simply export the data to a PDF or Excel file.
In the next section, we'll be looking at inserting number columns.
Resources
5 types of manual data entry options in your Power BI table/matrix
Allow multiple users to enter data in a blank table/form in Power BI
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