---
description: >-
  Learn how to create a new report template step by step, including setup
  options and essential fields, in our comprehensive guide to building custom
  reports.
---

# Creating a new report template

When you start to build a new report, it's important to carefully consider what data you want to use. You have the flexibility to choose whether your report will rely on requirements, test cases, test scenarios or defects as its primary data source. Your choice will not affect the layout design, but it will determine the specific information that is presented once the report is generated.&#x20;

It's a best practice to be as specific as possible when defining your desired data source to avoid unnecessary loading of extraneous data that is not relevant to your report. To initiate the creation of a new template, simply click on the 'New' button.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://3920520305-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FyZbW8vbNs5hz8x57emJJ%2Fuploads%2FwT8WnrLarUmWxZ8U6YNR%2FReporting_new_template.png?alt=media&#x26;token=094b9b58-157f-4e16-bc22-286c8b5f282c" alt=""><figcaption><p>Creating new Report </p></figcaption></figure>

A dialogue box will appear where you can configure the basic settings for your report, such as it's name and which data will be displayed.&#x20;

<figure><img src="http://aquawiki.andagon.com/pictures/drex_creating_a_new_report_template_1_custom_2.png" alt=""><figcaption><p>Initial Report configuration</p></figcaption></figure>

By clicking Next, you can define the details of the data displayed. There are three options to choose from:&#x20;

| Always load  | Data is always loaded whether or not it is used in a report. Only use this if you are sure you need the data.                                                        |
| ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| User decides | When creating the report, the user can decide whether to load the data. This is useful for data that is not always required but is sometimes needed, e.g. test data. |
| Never load   | No data will be loaded for this specific report. Should be used for large amounts of data you do not need for this specific report, such as history or attachments.  |

&#x20;&#x20;

<figure><img src="http://aquawiki.andagon.com/pictures/drex_creating_a_new_report_template_1_custom_3.png" alt=""><figcaption><p>Configuration of the report data loading</p></figcaption></figure>

Once you are satisfied with your settings, click 'Finish'. The new template will open in the Layout Designer.
