Using the Report Library in Arbor

What is the Report Library?

The Report Library is a centralised space where you can access both built-in Arbor reports and any Custom Reports you have permission to view. It can be accessed via the top menu navigation: Reporting > Report Library

Built-in Arbor Reports

Arbor's built-in reports are located within specific modules in the MIS (e.g. Attendance, Behaviour, or Assessment). In the Report Library, these are presented as shortcuts — clicking them takes you directly to the relevant report within its original module.

There are three types of built-in report links:

• Simple – Takes you straight to the report with no filters applied.
• Filtered – Applies a set of predefined filters to help you generate advanced views more easily.
• Parameter-based – Opens a slideover where you'll need to select a parameter (e.g. a specific student, course, or class) before being taken to the report.

Custom Reports

The Report Library doesn’t change how the Custom Report Writer works. Instead, it provides a central place to view and access the custom reports you’ve created or that have been shared with you. These reports can be easily filtered using the checkbox options within the Library.

If you need to create new reports or make bulk changes (such as editing or archiving multiple reports), you should continue to do this in the Custom Report Writer.

Report descriptions

Your reports are ordered alphabetically. Each report tile includes a brief description that tells you what the report contains, including any filters applied.

What you’ll see:

• Descriptions for Custom Reports are pulled through from the report definition or filters automatically.
• Descriptions for Arbor Reports are pre-defined, so will show in a slightly different format to Custom Reports descriptions.

Using filters and categories

The Report Library includes several ways to refine your results using filters.

Types of filters:

• Checkbox filters (e.g., Arbor Built-In Reports, My Custom Reports, Other Custom Reports)
• Category filters for report types (e.g., attendance, behaviour, safeguarding)
• Search box for free-text queries

Checkbox Filters

1. Arbor Built-In Reports: Built-in reports found throughout the MIS.
2. My Custom Reports: Reports that you've built using Custom Report Writer.
3. Other Custom Reports: Reports created by others users using Custom Report Writer that you have permission to view.

Each checkbox operates independently — toggling one won’t affect the others.

• Checking or unchecking one does not reset the others.
• Each checkbox has its own tooltip for guidance.
• Only the checkbox you interact with is affected.

Category Filters

Each report in the Library is tagged with a category that reflects the type of data it contains. Category filters allow you to narrow down your report results by topic, making it quicker to find the report you need.

• Use the Category filters at the top of the screen.
• Select one category at a time to refine the visible report cards.
• Combine this with checkbox filters and the search box to further narrow your results.

To reset all reports:

• Deselect the category filters you've applied or select 'All'.
• Clear your search term (if used).
• Optionally reset checkbox filters for built-in/custom reports.
• You'll see the total/filtered results below the search bar.

Using Search to Filter Results

The search bar helps you instantly narrow down the reports you're looking for.

Search behaviours:

• Enter keywords from the report title or description — e.g., "attendance", "year 11", or "behaviour points".
• Search applies only to the current page of results — it won’t search across all pages unless they are visible.
• Reports are filtered live as you type, updating the visible cards.

Opening reports in a new tab

Want to keep your place in the Library while reviewing a report?

Hold Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows/Linux) and click on a report card. This will open the report in a new browser tab.

This is especially useful if you’re comparing multiple reports or working through a shortlist.

User access and visibility

Access to reports in the Library depends on your user role.

1. Superuser Access: With all checkbox filters enabled, superusers view all reports originally found in 'Superuser: Active' tab in Custom Report Writer. Archived and Expired reports can still be found in Custom Report Writer.
2. Regular User Access: See only the reports they’ve created or been shared. This ensures that report visibility is secure and appropriate for your role.

Creating and managing reports

When you create a custom report using the Custom Report Writer, it will appear automatically in the Report Library.

Supported report creation methods:

• From scratch
• From a template
• Using AI free text
• Via report import

Once saved, the report becomes visible in the Library and can be searched, filtered, and opened like any other.

If you archive or delete a report from the Custom Report Writer, it will no longer appear in the Report Library. This helps prevent clutter and keeps your workspace clean.