How does Report work in Salesforce?
Salesforce reports come in four formats: Tabular (a flat list, like a spreadsheet), Summary (grouped by row with subtotals), Matrix (grouped by both rows and columns), and Joined (multiple report blocks in one view, each with its own object scope and filters). Every report is built on a Report Type, which defines the object relationships and fields available. Custom Report Types let admins create purpose-built combinations, like Accounts with or without Opportunities.
Reports support standard and cross filters, bucket fields for ad-hoc grouping, formula columns for on-the-fly calculations, and conditional highlighting to color-code results. Row-level formulas enable computed columns without modifying the underlying data model. Reports respect the running user's sharing permissions, ensuring data security, though the Report Builder allows admins to create reports that run as a specific user. Reports feed dashboards, can be scheduled for email delivery, and serve as data sources for Flow and Apex analytics.