Create Derived Elements

Beginning in Strategy (November 2026), you can create derived elements in your reports in Library. A derived element is a grouping of attribute elements on a report and can be defined by a list, a calculation, or a filter. These groups provide a new view of report data for analysis and formatting purposes. They can be saved as standalone objects and reused in multiple reports.

Although similar in concept, derived elements in reports are not the same as groups that you can create in dashboards. For more information about dashboard groups, see Introduction to Groups.

Types of Derived Elements

You can create different types of derived elements to provide a wide range of reporting and analysis:

• A list derived element combines multiple attribute elements into a single derived element. The data for the attribute elements is aggregated to form the metric values for the derived element.

• A calculation derived element uses operators and functions to combine attribute elements and other derived elements into expressions that define a single derived element.

• A filter derived element uses a filter qualification to determine which attribute elements are included in the derived element.

• The All Other derived element collects all attribute elements that are not included in other derived elements, and displays them on the report either as individual attribute elements or as a single element.

Create Derived Elements Editor

1. Navigate to a report.

2. Right-click the report name, and select Edit.

3. On the report toolbar select Resume Data Retrieval .

   Derived element editor is not available when data retrieval is paused.

4. In the Report Objects, or in the Drop Zone, right-click the attribute you want to use and select Derived Elements.

   

Create a List Element

5. In the New Derived Element dialog box, click Add new element and choose New List.

6. Type a name for your element in the element list.

7. Drag and drop attribute elements from the Available Elements panel onto the Definition window.



8. Define the number and display format in the Format panel.

Create a Calculation Element

9. In the New Derived Element dialog box, click Add new element and choose New Calculation.

10. Type a name for your element in the element list.

11. From the Available Elements panel, select attribute elements or other derived elements to include in the calculation expression, and add them to the expression area on the right. You can also use the toolbar above the expression to include operators and functions, as well as validate or clear the expression.



12. Define the number and display format in the Format panel.

Create a Filter Element

13. In the New Derived Element dialog box, click Add new element and choose New Filter.

14. Type a name for your element in the element list.

15. In the Qualify On drop down, choose to qualify on Elements or on Attribute Forms.

    • If you qualify on attribute elements, choose the operator, and then select attribute elements to be included in the filter.

    • If you qualify on attribute forms, choose the operator, and then type a value to qualify on.



16. Define the number and display format in the Format panel.
17. Edit the All Other element if needed. You can rename it and define the number and display format in the Format panel.

Derived Element Options

18. For each derived element, click the Options panel to define additional settings.

19. Under Display Options, choose from:

    • Show this element to display the derived element as a single element with the data of its items combined.

    • Show individual items to display attribute elements separately.

20. Under Subtotal Options, choose from:

    • Use this element to use derived element's aggregated data in all subtotals for the report.

    • Use Individual items to use the values of the separate items in all subtotals for the report.

    • Disable subtotals to exclude the derived element values and separate item values from the subtotals. You can use this option to avoid double counting when an attribute element is included in more than one derived element.

21. Under All Other Options, you can choose from:

    • Include individual items to include attribute elements used to define the derived element in the All Other derived element.

    • Exclude individual items to exclude attribute elements used to define the derived element from the All Other derived element.

22. To save the derived element as a standalone object that can be reused in other reports, click Save As in the top‑right corner of the editor.

23. Type a name, choose a location to save the derived element, and then click OK.

24. To link an existing derived element to an attribute in the report, click Link Derived Elements in the top-right corner of the editor.

25. Navigate to the folder location where the derived element is saved, select it and then click OK.

26. Once you have finished editing the derived elements, click Done.

Related Topics

For more information about derived elements see About Derived Elements.