This article highlights some of the most common areas users encounter when working within SSR. It provides quick answers, clear explanations, and step-by-step guidance to help you resolve issues efficiently.
For advanced knowledge:
What fields are needed to display the correct dashboard information?
Datafields link in different ways to different modules (datatables) within Service Geeni. You may need to test which table provides the data you need.
For example, you may want to link EquipmentID to CustomerContact.
To do this, you must also link to CustomerSite first. Without that, the connection will not work.
Pro Tip! Always check the module and data returned to confirm the table is correct.
How do I tell which table a datafield comes from?
Hover over a datafield. A pop-up will display showing the datatable name in quotes.
Why can’t I export the data? I only see PPT or PNG?
To export the visuals of a dashboard (look, feel and layout, especially if you have charts), use the export option on the preview dashboard menu.
Exporting the Data
There are two ways you can export information:
Export the Dashboard/Report: Use the export button (shown below) to export the dashboard or report itself. This option gives you two export formats.
Export the underlying data: If you want the data behind a report (for example, a data table), use the export icon in the top-right corner of the component. See the linked article for details on this process.
Note: The export button shown here only applies to dashboards and reports. Exporting the data behind them is a separate process with different format options.
Can I move or copy a page or component to another dashboard?
Yes. You can:
Copy, cut, and paste components within the same dashboard, even between tabs.
Use the Visual Gallery to move components across dashboards.
Pro Tip! To save time, you can duplicate the dashboard, rename it, and remove pages you do not need.
Once you have selected the required component, drag it over into your Dashboard; the scenario component is no longer linked to the original and will be given a new scenario name.
Note: A component cannot be dragged into the dashboard where it already exists.
Why do I get “No Data Found”?
This usually happens when tables are linked in a way you do not expect. For example, a link may go from CustomerSite → Equipment → Customer. If the site has no equipment, no customer data will be returned.
It can also occur in pivot tables if a table in the chain has no records or if a required column is missing.
Pro Tip! Use fields from the same datatable whenever possible. It reduces lag and avoids broken links.
How do I keep track of my reports?
You can use favourites and categories.
How do I rename a report?
From the main Documents (SSR Home page):
Select the ellipses next to the document you would like to rename.
Click Rename.
When I export a report, what format will it be in?
When you export the data, it will be an Excel XLS or CSV, and will be named according to the title of the component.
NOTE: There is a limit within Windows on the length of a file name (MAX_PATH limit to 256 characters). You may need to change the text length of the table name to save the export of data.
Why is the field from another table greyed out?
Not all tables are linked; however, this could depend on your SG platform. Contact your Onboarding Consultant.
How can I duplicate a report for a different customer?
You have two options:
Duplicate and Edit Filters
From the SSR Home page, duplicate the existing report.
Open the copy and update the filters on each component so they point to the new customer.
This gives you a completely separate version of the report for that customer.
Use a Slicer
Instead of duplicating, you can add a slicer to the dashboard.
A slicer can be linked to multiple tables and charts in the dashboard.
Once set up, you can switch the customer filter in the slicer, and all components update automatically.
This way, you can use one dashboard to report across different customers, without creating multiple copies.
What about parameters?
Parameters are another way to control data in reports:
Global Parameters apply across multiple dashboards.
Regular Parameters apply only to a specific report.
You can use parameters in scheduled reports to filter or personalise data output automatically.
How do I apply formatting to more than one component?
Highlight all components you want to update using Ctrl+Click or by dragging over them.
Formatting will apply to all selected components if they share the same type.
How do I choose between a Data Table and a Pivot Table?
Use a Data Table if you only need to display existing fields.
Use a Pivot Table if you need calculated columns, measures, or advanced totals.
How do I change the display units?
Select the component.
Select the inspector.
Choose Display Unit.
Note: The default is Auto; change it to none for units less than a thousand.
How do I change the date format to UK dd/mm/yyyy?
To change the format:
Select the component containing the date field.
In Data Binding, click on the cog, followed by Edit Format.
In Custom, choose how the date is displayed, edit Type: field.
Examples of Date Formatting
Day | Month | Year |
dd = 13 | mm = 11 | yy = 23 |
ddd = Mon | mmm = Nov |
|
dddd = Monday | mmm = November | yyyy = 2023 |
How do I know which fields to select to display the correct information in a dashboard?
Sometimes fields share the same name but come from different tables. This can be confusing because only one of them will return the data you actually need.
Datafields link differently depending on the module (or datatable) they belong to. Because of this, getting the correct link can take some trial and error.
Example:
You might want to link EquipmentID to CustomerContact. To do this, you cannot connect them directly — you also need to link through CustomerSite first.
Tables and fields are not always sequentially linked in the way you expect, so think about the logical flow of data in Service Geeni.
Pro Tip! If several fields have the same name, always check which table they belong to.
For instance, the field ContractNumber appears in multiple tables, including:
ESSHistory
HireContract
ServiceContractSequence
Uplifts
Even though the name is the same, the values are different depending on the table source.
HireContract Contract Numbers are not the same as Service Contract numbers.
But Job, ESS, and ServiceContractSequence Contract Numbers are related and therefore match.
Why does the data look different even though the field has the same name?
Some fields share the same name across multiple tables, but the data they return is not the same.
For example:
Contract Number from a Service Contract is not the same as a Hire Contract Contract Number.
However, the Contract Number from Job, ESS, and ServiceContractSequence is related and will match.
This is why it’s important to choose the field from the correct module, based on the purpose of your dashboard.
To identify a field's table:
Hover over the datafield where a pop-up will display the datatable name in quotes.
Always check both the module and the data returned to confirm you are using the right field for your report.
After exporting, why does the data formatting look different?
When you export data, the formatting from your SSR dashboard does not carry over. The export tool pulls data directly from the database, ignoring any custom formatting you applied in SSR.
Example:
If you export a Pivot Table, the file will open in Excel with two tabs, including a Datasheet.
Dates may appear in a different format than on your dashboard.
Times may include milliseconds, which are usually generated when timestamps come from mobile devices.
How to export correctly:
In Dashboard Preview mode, hover over the component (for example, a Pivot Table).
Wait for the component toolbar to appear.
Click the Export icon:
Select Export Data.
Save As.
The export will be saved with the component’s title (for example, “Jobs”).
Note: You will notice the date formatting isn’t the same as that of the Dashboard. This is because the data is passed straight from the database to the export tool, ignoring any formatting applied to your SSR dashboard.
Note: You may notice that some of the times have milliseconds in addition to hours, minutes, seconds – this is generally when a timestamp is created on a mobile.
How to remove the T between Date and Time after exporting to Excel.
Insert a column to the right of the column you want to split.
Highlight the column to be split using the text to columns split icon on the Data menu.
Delimited, in “Other” type T, click Finish. It will state there is already data here – this is because the new column has Column 1.
If you don’t require the time, delete this column.
How do I format a column in Excel to the correct cell format?
Highlight a column.
Right click.
Format Cells.
Why do I get “No Data Found”?
There are several reasons why you might see this message:
Table links are not in the order you expect.
Data in Service Geeni flows in a specific way. For example, a link may go from CustomerSite → Equipment → Customer. If the site has no equipment, the customer record will not appear, so no data is returned.Missing records in a chain.
In a pivot table, if one of the linked tables has no records, or if you have not included a required column in the Values section, the result will be empty.Using fields from multiple datatables.
It’s best to use fields from the same datatable whenever possible. This reduces lag and avoids complex joins that may not return results.Null or blank fields.
If a report contains null or blank values, you may want to format them to show as a zero, a dash, or simply leave them empty.
Pro Tip! It is always best to use data fields from the same datatable where possible, as there is less lag, and the DB does not have to process so many requests.
Note: If the report has Null and/or Blank fields, you may want to display these fields as a 0 or a dash (-) as an example or even just empty.
How do I view the next page of a dashboard in Preview?
In Preview mode, you can move between pages using the small navigation area at the bottom centre of the screen.
Hover over it, and the left and right arrows will appear and allow you to move forward or backwards.
Open the Inspector for the dashboard:
Click Document Settings
or
Click on a space in the dashboard (not on a component).
Go to the Page Settings section.
Auto Switch: Set this to True to automatically move through pages. You can also choose the interval time.
Auto Switch = False: Pages only change manually using the arrows.
I can't see Self Service reports.
This will need to be enabled. Contact your Onboarding Consultant.
Is SSR available to everyone?
Yes, but you may want to only enable access to those personnel who will need to use the Self Service Report (SSR).
Additional staff can be added, but you may want to restrict their access.
Can you have a Category have subfolders?
Yes, you can drag and drop folders into others.
Can other users see my categories?
No, they would need to create their own category structure.
How to change the name of a field?
Click on the component.
In Data binding, click the cog.
Click Rename.
You can also change the name of the title or Sub Title in the Inspector for that component.
How do I change a component's colour?
Click on a Component.
Open the Inspector.
From the drop-down, you will find a selection of palettes to choose from according to your Dashboard Theme.
Each element within a component has its own font and colour setting.
Can a report show in more than one category?
Yes - you can select multiple categories from your list, but the categories must be created first.
Can you have more than one table in a report?
Yes - you can have multiple tables and multiple charts, they can be any combination and numerous to display the data you require.
Can I apply the same Inspector settings to multiple Components in the dashboard?
Yes, highlight all the components you want to make changes to, either by dragging over them or using Ctrl+Click and selecting each one required.
Can you apply formatting to more than one component without having to apply it individually?
Yes, if the component is the same type or has the same format type in common, i.e Border.
Select the component/s by using Ctrl+Click or sweeping over components.
What is the difference between a calculated column and a measure?
Both calculated columns and measures let you extract more value from your data using analytical expressions, but they work in different ways:
Measures:
Perform aggregate operations such as totals, counts, averages, or percentages.
Calculated on the fly, based on the filters applied in your dashboard.
Example: calculating total sales or average job duration.
Calculated Columns:
Perform row-by-row calculations directly on the target table.
Values are stored in the table once calculated.
Example: adding a column to show “Profit = Revenue – Cost” for each row.
How can I find the name of a datafield?
If you’re unsure of the field name, you can locate it by exploring the tables:
Navigate through the tables and expand them to view available fields.
Drag a field onto a Data Table to see the data it returns.
Repeat until you identify the correct field.
Pro Tip! Think about the module in Service Geeni where the data originates. The table name is usually similar to the module name, which can help narrow down your search.
I have overwritten my dashboard by syncing changes – how do I undo it?
In the dashboard home page, go to dashboard properties.
Go to Revisions to revert to the last workable revision.
Be aware of saving changes back to a dashboard when previewing. Changes such as filtering and sorting.
When you click back in preview, the following message will appear.
Select “YES” to save changes back to your dashboard report.
Select “No” to keep the dashboard as it was before previewing.
How to enable the Tooltips in Preview?
From the Inspector panel, change the Tooltip mode to “Show”.
For data and pivot tables, the default is “None”.
For charts, this is automatic.