Insert manual input rows (Reporting Matrix)

Quite often, we would need to insert a row in our table/matrix reports in Power BI and enter our own data. For example, a financial statement report connecting to a database query may be able to fetch revenue & expense metrics, but it might not retrieve the number of shares outstanding. Similarly, a sales report can leave out the sales data for a newly launched product category.

To address such scenarios, Inforiver allows you to insert static rows in matrix-style reports where you can input or enter the data.

You can insert custom rows from the Row section of the Insert ribbon. Select a row from the report to enable the Insert Row button.

1. Insert static row

Click the 'Static Row' option from the dropdown menu to insert a custom row.

Another way to insert static rows is by using the row gripper. The gripper icon is highlighted when you hover over a row. Click on it, then select the 'Add static row' option in the Insert section.

The Static Row side panel opens when creating a static row. Enter a relevant category name for the row in the Title textbox and click Create. An empty record is created above the row that was selected before the insert row operation.

To delete a static row, hover over the row and click on the row gripper. Select the Delete Row option.

Let's look at the customization options for static rows.

1.1. Scaling factor

You can set the scaling factor for the static row to thousands, billions, trillions, etc, depending on the data that is expected to be entered. It is set to Auto by default.

1.2. Bind for cross filter/RLS

You can enable the Bind for Cross filter/RLS option – this ensures that cross-filter selections and RLS settings apply to calculated/manual input rows that reference other rows. For example, if this option is not enabled, a manager handling Canada accounts can view a manually inserted row that references US data or an inserted region that is manually created at the visual level. Learn more about binding rows.

1.3. Include in total

When the Include in total option is enabled, any values that we enter for the new row also update the parent row, in this case, 'Office Supplies.

1.4. Distribute parent value to children

This option ensures that if a value is entered at a total level, it gets distributed to the levels below it.

2. Bulk insert static rows

You can bulk-insert leaf-level rows or hierarchies using the Insert rows option.

2.1. Inserting child rows

To insert a leaf-level row, click on any child row or the parent row under which you want to create rows. From the row gripper, select the Insert Rows option. Notice that the parent category is already populated. You can key in the value for the child rows.

There are 3 ways to add new rows:

• To insert a new row, click the icon that appears when hovering near the parent category.

• Click the Add New button

• Click the icon near the Add New button and choose whether to insert a single row or bulk insert 5/10 rows.

The 'Paintbrushes', 'Pencils', and 'Notebooks' rows are created when you click Save. You can enter values in these rows. The icon denotes manually inserted rows.

2.2. Inserting a hierarchy

To insert a new level in an existing hierarchy, you can overwrite the default parent category that is auto-populated in the Insert Rows window. Double-click and overwrite the value with the desired parent category.

The new 'Upholstery' parent category has been created.

2.3. Disabling row insertion

You can restrict users from creating new categories for a particular hierarchy level. Navigate to the Insert ribbon > Manage Rows > Insert Row Settings> Insert Row Configuration.

We’ve disabled the creation of new product categories. However, new subcategories can still be inserted.

Notice how the Category textbox is disabled in the Insert rows window, but we are able to enter values in the Sub-Category textbox.

2.4. Setting user permissions

You can explicitly set permissions for users to insert rows in read mode. Navigate to the Insert ribbon > Manage Rows > Insert Row Settings > Insert Row Access to set permissions.

Enable the Allow in Read Mode toggle to allow users to insert rows in reading mode.

2.5. Allow blank values in categories

While inserting row hierarchies manually, you can enable the Allow Blank Values toggle if you expect blank row categories in the leaf nodes. This option is available in Manage Rows > Insert Row Settings > Insert Row Configuration > Manage.

By default, this toggle is disabled. The blank categories are highlighted in a red error box, and Inforiver prevents you from inserting rows.

3. Row hierarchy

This option can be used to insert a single user-defined level for hierarchical data. Only one row is created while using this option, unlike the Insert Rows(s) option, where you can define the hierarchy structure with multiple nested levels and rows.

After creating a custom hierarchy level, you can insert static rows, calculated rows, aggregated rows, etc., as demonstrated in the example below.