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Exporting Dynamic Reports

Learn how to export Dynamic Reports as PDF, CSV, or Excel files from ProcessPro's Report Builder, including export-only fields and status chip colours.

Written by James Ross

Exporting Dynamic Reports

Description

ProcessPro's Dynamic Reports can be exported in three formats: PDF, CSV, and Excel. Each format serves a different purpose — PDF for formatted sharing, CSV for data imports and scripting, and Excel for analysis with spreadsheet tools. The Report Builder also supports export-only fields that appear in CSV/Excel exports but not in on-screen views or PDFs.

Why Export Reports?

While the on-screen Dynamic Report view is great for browsing and interacting with data, exports let you share snapshots with stakeholders who don't have ProcessPro access, import data into other systems, or perform advanced analysis in spreadsheet applications.

Restrictions

  • PDF exports include only columns visible in the saved layout — export-only fields are excluded

  • CSV and Excel exports include both visible columns and export-only fields

  • Export files are named using the pattern {ReportName}_{timestamp}

  • PDF status chip colours are resolved dynamically from row data

Quick Steps

Exporting as PDF

  • Open your published Dynamic Report or use the designer

  • Click Export PDF

  • The PDF includes:

    • KPI cards (if configured) at the top of the document

    • Column headers proportional to your designer column widths

    • Data rows with all visible columns

    • Coloured status chips matching the on-screen display

  • Column order in the PDF matches your saved layout

  • Export-only fields are not included in the PDF

Exporting as CSV

  • Click Export CSV

  • The CSV file includes:

    • All visible columns from your saved layout (in order)

    • All export-only fields appended after the visible columns

  • File is named {ReportName}_{timestamp}.csv

Exporting as Excel

  • Click Export Excel

  • The Excel file includes the same columns as CSV (visible + export-only)

  • Data types are preserved: numbers as numbers, dates as dates

  • File is named {ReportName}_{timestamp}.xlsx

Understanding Export-Only Fields

  • Export-only fields are configured in the Report Designer's Export-only Columns drop zone

  • These fields are NOT visible in the on-screen Dynamic Report view

  • These fields are NOT included in PDF exports

  • These fields are ONLY included in CSV and Excel exports

  • Use export-only fields for reference data, internal IDs, or supplementary information needed in data extracts

Understanding PDF Status Chip Colours

  • PDF exports render status values as coloured chips (small coloured labels)

  • Chip colours are resolved by ResolveDynamicReportChipBackgroundHex, which reads the StatusColor hex value from each row's data

  • PDF chip colours match the on-screen display exactly

Important Notes

Export-only fields are a key distinction between PDF and CSV/Excel exports. PDF mirrors the on-screen view (visible columns only), while CSV/Excel include additional export-only fields for data completeness.

Excel exports preserve data types — numbers are stored as numbers and dates as dates — making them immediately usable for formulas, pivot tables, and charts without manual reformatting.

PDF status chip colours are derived from the StatusColor field in your data. If a status doesn't have a colour configured, the chip will use the default styling.

Further Information

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