Customising your Xero Reports to how you want them (Part 3)

In our previous blogs, we discussed how to set up your Xero account effectively to ensure you have access to the information and reports you need, and explored the basic reports already built into Xero. Building on that foundation, this blog now gives you the detail and next steps on how you can then customise your reports even further to meet your business needs.

Customising Xero Report Templates

Customising your Xero reports allows you to present financial data in a way that is most meaningful to your business or work colleagues. Here are some specific steps on how to carry out these functions within Xero:

Re-ordering Account Codes on Your Report

1. Click on Edit Layout: This option is available on reports that have an edit layout button on the bottom left-hand side of the screen.
2. Drag and Drop Account Codes: Re-order the account codes to where you want them to be. Adjust these until you have the report how you or the client would like to see it.
3. Click Update Layout: Save the changes.
4. Save as a Named Customised Report: Ensure you save the report again as a customised report to retain the changes.

Grouping Account Codes Under Headings

1. Create a Group:
   • Click on the fourth icon on the top row which is for Rows.
   • Select Group.
2. Name Your Group:
   • Highlight the new untitled group.
   • Go to the panel on the right-hand side and in the empty row heading field, give your group a name.
   • Click out of the field to see the group name on your report layout.
3. Drag and Drop:
   • Move the group name to where you want it.
   • Drag and drop the account codes into the group.
4. Update Layout and Save: Click update layout and save it as a customised report.

 

Adding Page Breaks

1. Click on Edit Layout.
2. Select the Row or Section: Choose where you want to put the break.
3. Click the Page Break Icon: This is the sixth icon on the top row.
4. Move the Page Break: Drag it up or down to where you want it.

Entering Formulas into Your Reports

1. Click Edit Layout.
2. Add a New Line: Click where you would like the new line to go.
3. Click on the Icon for Rows: Select Formula.
4. Name the Formula Line: In the right-hand panel, give the line a name in the row heading (e.g., Gross Profit Margin (%)).
5. Create the Formula:
   • Click on the drop-down next to insert and select Gross Profit.
   • Click on the divided by symbol.
   • Click on insert and select Turnover.
   • Click on the multiply symbol then type in the number 100.
   • The formula should look like this: Gross Profit/Turnover*100.
6. Update Layout and Save: Click update layout and save as a customised named

Adding Notes or Commentary to Your Reports

Inserting Text Information in a Block Field

1. Run the Report: Click on insert content.
2. Click on Text Block: Insert a block of wording. This can be used for the particular report you are running that day or saved as a customised template.
3. Move the Text: After entering your text, it can be moved up or down on the report.

Inserting Notes on Your Report Against Specific Items

1. Click on Insert Content.
2. Enable Add Note: Tick ‘Enable Add Note’.
3. Add Note:
   • Click on the line you want to comment on.
   • Hover to the right-hand side of the description and click when the add note option pops up.
   • Type your note and click done.

Conclusion

Customising your Xero reports can significantly enhance the way you present financial data, making it more relevant and insightful for your business and your colleagues.  By following these steps, you can tailor your reports to meet specific needs and maximise the value of Xero’s reporting features.

Need any Help?

If you have found this blog useful and would like some help getting more from your Xero, please don’t hesitate to ask us for any help you need.  You can contact us via:

https://thebookkeepingdepartment.co.uk/contact-us/

Tel: 01462 455455