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Report Generation

Generate monthly, quarterly, or custom reports automatically from your data. Perfect for business reports, analytics summaries, or status updates.

Scenario​

You need to generate monthly reports for clients or stakeholders. Each report should include relevant data, charts, and analysis for that specific period.

Data Structure Needed​

Your data source should have fields like:

  • Report Period: Month, quarter, or date range
  • Client Name: Name of the client or stakeholder
  • Client Email: Email address for delivery
  • Metrics: Key performance indicators
  • Summary: Executive summary text
  • Details: Detailed breakdown
  • Charts/Graphs: URLs to chart images (optional)
  • Recommendations: Action items or recommendations

Template Setup​

Report Header​

MONTHLY REPORT

Period: {{reportPeriod}}
Prepared for: {{clientName}}
Date: {{reportDate}}

Executive Summary​

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

{{summary}}

Key Metrics​

KEY METRICS

{{metrics}}

Detailed Analysis​

DETAILED ANALYSIS

{{details}}

Recommendations​

RECOMMENDATIONS

{{recommendations}}

Configuration Walkthrough​

Step 1: Connect Data Source​

Connect to your reporting data:

  • Google Sheets: If metrics are in spreadsheets
  • Airtable: If using Airtable for data collection
  • API: If data comes from analytics platforms

Step 2: Create Template​

Create a Google Doc template with:

  • Professional report layout
  • Sections for different report components
  • Placeholders for all data points
  • Space for charts (use image placeholders)

Step 3: Map Placeholders​

Map each placeholder:

  • {{reportPeriod}} → Report Period field
  • {{clientName}} → Client Name field
  • {{summary}} → Summary field (with markdown if needed)
  • {{metrics}} → Metrics field
  • {{chart1}} → Chart URL field (image placeholder)

Step 4: Configure Results​

Set up where to save reports:

  • PDF folder: "Generated Reports/PDFs"
  • PDF filename: {{clientName}}_Report_{{reportPeriod}}
  • Google Doc folder: "Generated Reports/Docs"

Step 5: Set Up Email​

Configure email notifications:

  • Recipients: {{clientEmail}}
  • Subject: Monthly Report - {{reportPeriod}}
  • Body: Report summary and highlights
  • Attach PDF: Yes

Step 6: Set Up Triggers​

Choose how to trigger:

  • Scheduled: Set up to run monthly/quarterly
  • Manual: Generate when needed
  • Webhook: Trigger from your analytics platform

Tips and Variations​

Different Report Types​

Create different templates for:

  • Monthly reports: Standard monthly summaries
  • Quarterly reports: Quarterly analysis
  • Custom reports: Ad-hoc reports for specific needs
  • Executive summaries: High-level overviews

Conditional Content​

Add conditions for:

  • Sections: Show sections only if data exists
  • Metrics: Include metrics only if available
  • Charts: Show charts only if URLs are provided
  • Recommendations: Include recommendations only if they exist

Visual Elements​

  • Charts and graphs: Use image placeholders for chart URLs
  • Tables: Format data as tables in your template
  • Branding: Include company logo and branding
  • Formatting: Use consistent formatting throughout

Data Aggregation​

If data needs processing:

  • Aggregate data in your data source before generation
  • Use formulas or calculations in spreadsheets
  • Process data via API before sending to Gdocify

Advanced Features​

Multi-Client Reports​

Generate reports for multiple clients:

  • Use client-specific data
  • Personalize content per client
  • Send to each client's email

Comparative Analysis​

Include comparisons:

  • Month-over-month comparisons
  • Year-over-year analysis
  • Benchmark comparisons

Automated Scheduling​

Set up automated generation:

  • Generate reports at month-end
  • Schedule quarterly reports
  • Trigger from calendar events

Best Practices​

  • Consistent format: Use the same template structure
  • Clear metrics: Make metrics easy to understand
  • Visual appeal: Include charts and visual elements
  • Timely delivery: Send reports on schedule
  • Archive properly: Keep organized records

Next Steps​

Ready to set up report generation? Follow the Quick Start Guide to get started, or explore other Use Case Examples.