Reporting Metadata

Meta Data

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Meta Data
• Purpose
• How It Works
• Example
• Best Practices

Metadata displays the custom fields associated with a selected report type. These fields extend beyond the standard system fields (like Project Name, Task Description, or User ID) to include organization-specific data points configured within Screendragon.

Purpose

Metadata enables teams to incorporate custom information into reports, allowing for more detailed analysis and tailored reporting for specific workflows, clients, or departments.

• Provides flexibility to include bespoke fields such as Client Experience, Market Region, Campaign Type, Budget Category, or Approval Status.
• Ensures reports reflect the unique data structure of your Screendragon instance.
• Helps standardize reporting across teams while supporting customization at the template level.

How It Works

1. Report Type Selection
   • When you select a report type (e.g., Timesheet, Project, Task, or Resource), Screendragon automatically identifies all meta fields linked to that entity type.
   • These fields appear under the Metadata grouping in the Columns tab of the Export Report Builder.
2. Field Display
   • Each available meta field is listed as a checkbox under its relevant category (e.g., Project Metadata, Task Metadata).
   • You can select one or more meta fields to include in your export.
   • Once selected, they appear as individual columns in the exported Excel or CSV file.
3. Dynamic Mapping
   • The metadata section dynamically updates when the report type or source module changes.
   • For example, switching from a Project report to a Timesheet report refreshes the meta options to display only fields applicable to timesheets (e.g., Billing Code, Approval Date).
4. Data Population
   • The export pulls data directly from the custom forms or attributes where the meta fields are defined.
   • The field labels used in the configuration appear as column headers in the report.
   • This allows users to see the same terminology used in their forms, dashboards, and workflows.

Example

If a Project report type includes custom meta fields such as Client Experience and Production Status:

• Selecting these checkboxes in the Metadata section adds two new columns to the export output:
  • Client  – Displays the client or brand associated with the project.
  • Production Status – Displays the current phase or completion stage of the project.

Sample Export Output:

Best Practices

• Utilize metadata fields to enrich reports with customized insights tailored to your business requirements.
• Limit selections to only the fields you require to keep exports clear and easy to read.
• Work with your Screendragon administrator to standardize naming conventions for custom fields across modules.
• Review metadata options regularly—new fields may become available as templates and workflows evolve.