Define a Numeric Column for a Matrix Widget

Use the Columns page (in the Matrix Widget Properties window) to define how a numeric column looks and behaves on a Matrix Widget.

A numeric column is a query-based column whose data is retrieved and then split out among the different rows. For example, if you have a row for each support Incident category, you can have a numeric column that counts the number of Incidents for Software, Hardware, Network Support, etc. You might have another column that limits the records returned to Open Incidents only and another for Closed Incidents only, etc.

The display of a numeric column is simply a number. Numeric columns are the only ones that support drill-down (because other columns are all calculated in some way, there is no reasonable way to know what data to show when drilling down).

To define a numeric column for a Matrix Widget:

Create a Widget.
In the Type drop-down, select Matrix.
Click the Columns page.
Click Add>Numeric Column.
Define general properties:
1. Title: Provide a title for the column.
2. Fixed Width: Select this check box to specify a fixed width for the column. Then, specify the width, in pixels. If not selected, the column width adjusts to the Widget width.
3. Visible: Select this check box to display the title of the column in the matrix.
Define the records to include in the column:
1. Click the Search page.
2. Define the records to include:
  1. Business Object: Select the Business Object whose data you want to display in the columns. This defaults to the same set for the Widget as a whole; however, you can have different columns pulled from different Business Objects (so one matrix could show data from Incidents, Problems, and Changes side-by-side).
  2. Field to Use to Split Business Objects Between Rows: Select the Field in the source Business Object that contains the matching value for each row. For example, if you have a row for each category (pulled from the Incident Category table), specify the Field in your Business Object that contains Categories.
  3. Search Criteria: Define a Search Query to locate the records to include on the Widget (example: In a Closed column, show Closed incidents). You have two options:
    - Click the Ellipses button to open the Search Manager, and then select an existing Saved Search or create a Saved Search. Saved Searches can be used over and over in numerous places.
    - Click the Custom Query button to open the Custom Query Builder, and then create a custom Search Query to use only for this scenario.
  4. Field Used for Date Range: Select the Field to use if there is a date filter applied to the matrix. By default, this will be the same Field set on the Rows page of the main matrix setup, but because Business Objects other than the primary can be displayed, the behavior might be different from column to column. This is not used when you have rows based on date. In that situation, the Field used to split records between rows will be a date field for that purpose.
Define the values to display in the column:
2. Define the value to display. A value can be:
  - Number of records: Select this option to display the number of records that match the criteria (example: 15 Open Incidents).
  - Function: Select this option to display a value that calculates an average, maximum, minimum, or total value based on a selected Field, and then select the function and Field (example: Average cost for each row).
  - Duration Function: Select this option to display a value that is calculated based on an amount of time (example: Average amount of time that Incidents take to resolve each day), and then select the Start/End Fields and the units (duration).
  - Metric: Select this option to use a Metric value, and then select an existing CSM Metric in the drop-down; or, click the Metric button to launch the Metric Manager, and then create a Metric.
Define the format for the column:
2. Define formatting options:
  1. Format: Select a format for the number (example: Number, Percent, Currency/locale symbol).
  2. Decimal places: Specify the number of decimal places to show for each value.
  3. Text Position: Select how to align the value in the column (example: Centered, left-justified, or right-justified).
  4. Color Text: Select this check box to define an Expression to conditionally change the color of the text (example: If the value is negative, show it as red). You cannot use a Stored Expression here because regular Stored Expressions do not have access to column values.
Select OK.