SFDC Reports Explained (Diff b/w Tabualr, Summary, Matrix Reports)

There are 3 kinds of reports in salesforce.com

1) Tabular Reports
2) Summary Reports
3) Matrix Reports

Each Report has a specific use and I am listing down the scenario's in which each type of Reports will be used :-

Tabular Reports:- These kind of reports are used when the requirement is just to view the data.
Some of the examples are:-

• Show me all Open Opportunities
• Show me List of all Accounts which do not have any closed opportunity
• Show me top 10 Opportunities by revenue

Dashboards can not be created on Tabular Reports :- Salesforce ADM 201 certification question

Summary Reports:- These reports are used when the requirement is to summarize only X Axis. In short if you need to do the sum or calculate the average on even one parameter then summary report is the answer.
Some of the examples are:-

• Show sum of all Open Opportunities
• Show opportunities sub total bu my Team

Matrix Reports:- These reports are used when the requirement is to summarize both the Axis i.e. when requirement is to group both Rows as well as Columns.
Some of the examples are:-

• Show Accounts grouped as Customer or Prospect depending on the opportunity stage
• Show monthly performance of salesteam on closing opportunity by Geography for current year

Note:- Charts can not be made on Tabular Reports as no grouping of data is available