I’m often asked by clients to give training on Clarity, specifically Clarity Studio and Visualizer. Over the years I’ve developed a solid methodology for delivering this rather complex subject matter, including a very useful sequence for Report / Template development, which I thought I would share in the hopes in can assist others with their Clarity development.
The following are my recommended sequence of steps/ best practices for building a new report or template:
Step 1 – Map out mentally or on paper your report design.
- Always begin with the end in mind. Knowing what your report is going to look like before you start will save time and minimize frustration. I like to start by mapping out in a simple grid where each dimension will fall in my data map and what my page options will be.
Example Design Grid:
Step 2 – Create a new Clarity Document
Step 3 – Add Initial Formatting – Optional, but useful
- It’s helpful when adding the different ranges required for the data map to know ahead of time where everything is going to be to avoid overlap and to ensure your report renders as desired.
Step 4 – Add Data Source(s)
Step 5 – Add Member Lists
Step 6 – Create Page Options
- Check Point – this is a good time to publish your report to the server and test your progress
Step 7 – Create Row Ranges
Step 8 – Create Column Ranges
Step 9 – Create Data Map(s)
- Configure Dimensions Layout (Page, Row, Column)
- Configure Page Filters
- Configure Columns
- Configure Rows
- Review Properties
- Check Point – this is a good time to publish your report to the server and test your progress
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Step 10 – Add Features
- Tools
- Others as required
I hope you find this helpful – and always please feel free to provide any feedback or comments.
– Jay