How to create a matrix report on Apex 4.1

Question

Hi all.
I need to create a report similar to this one:
Jan Feb Mar .....
Product Category
Category One 999 999 999
Category Two 999 999 999
On a reporting tool like Oracle Reports, this is call a matrix report which can be easily created: just one simple query , select a matrix report type, compute summary values for row /column and grand total, and that is.
How would one implement this on Apex 4.1???
Have a couple of ideas:
- Populate temporary table with columns corresponding to month.
- Create a procedure that return a collection and use that as a source for report.
- Etc.
What other options do i have ...?
Thanks in advance ...!

Answer 1

Hi all,
I did create a matrix report using the pivot function and some interesting settings in APEX. So far it is only does display data. I did not find a way yet(?) to alter the data in the same matrix.
The data is based on a simple set of tables about planning. The end result does look something like the matrix below. Note: the dashes are just there to make the matrix look like a matrix on this forum.
Resource 13-08 20-08 27-08 03-09 10-09 17-09 24-09
Angelo-----25-----22-----12-----10------------------------
John---------8-----22-----36-----22------------------------
Marit-----------------5-----40-----36-----24-----12-----10
The resources (Angelo, John and Marit) are being registered in the following table:
CREATE TABLE EVP_RESOURCES
RSS_ID NUMBER(10,0) NOT NULL,
NAME VARCHAR2(25 BYTE) NOT NULL
The date periods (13-08 till 24-09) are being registered in the next table:
CREATE TABLE EVP_DATA_POINTS
DPT_ID NUMBER(10,0) NOT NULL,
DATA_POINT_DATE DATE NOT NULL,
V_DATA_POINT_DATE_FORMATED VARCHAR2(75 BYTE) GENERATED ALWAYS AS (TO_CHAR("DATA_POINT_DATE",'dd-mm')) VIRTUAL VISIBLE
The virtual column (v_data_point_date_formated) is not needed. You can use this virtual column or format the column in multiple places.
The available units are being registered in the intersection table below:
CREATE TABLE EVP_RESOURCE_PLANNING
RPG_ID NUMBER(10,0) NOT NULL,
DPT_ID NUMBER(10,0) NOT NULL,
RSS_ID NUMBER(10,0) NOT NULL,
UNITS NUMBER(10,0)
The data is being displayed in APEX in a report region of type "SQL Query (PL/SQL function body returning SQL query)". And the following option has to be switched on "Use Generic Column Names (parse query at runtime only)".
This does give a restriction on the number of columns which can be used. You can however change the number of columns in the field "Maximum number of generic report columns:" to a high number. So in most cases this is no issue at all.
In the Region Source I did put the following code:
begin
return 'select *
from ( select rss.name "Resource"
, v_data_point_date_formated
, rpg.units
from evp_resources rss
, evp_data_points dpt
, evp_resource_planning rpg
where rpg.dpt_id = dpt.dpt_id
and rpg.rss_id = rss.rss_id
pivot (sum(units) for v_data_point_date_formated in (' ||
evp_pkg_dpm.f_dynamic_pivot_in ||
order by 1';
end;
The function evp_pkg_dpm.f_dynamic_pivot_in does return a string which is based on the number of rows in the table evp_data_points. In my case this string is: '13-08' as "13-08",'20-08' as "20-08",'27-08' as "27-08",'03-09' as "03-09",'10-09' as "10-09",'17-09' as "17-09",'24-09' as "24-09". If you ommit the 'as "..."' you do get quotes in your headings.
Enjoy and regards,
Jurgen
PS: let me know if something is missing or not clear!
Edited by: user553427 on Aug 17, 2012 5:46 AM (Query has been made more simple and I build up the header differently)