Preparing for Hierarchical Data

Hierarchical data is multi-layered data that contains numerous parent-child relationships. For example, for each customer, an invoice-style report may contain customer contact information and data for multiple orders. If the data for several customers is returned from a query and each customer has placed one or more orders, then a hierarchical dataset exists. The only rule you need to follow when creating a template for hierarchical data is that each level in the hierarchy must have its own row.

For example, the report template shown above is configured properly for three levels of hierarchical data. If additional data at the third level is retrieved, data in the correct columns will be extended downward in additional rows.

However, the example shown above is not configured properly for multiple levels of data. If additional data at the second or third level is retrieved, data for all three levels will be extended downward in additional and meaningless rows.