--- title: "Using Reports As Flow Steps" slug: "using-reports-flow-steps" tags: ["Report customization", "Flow Step", "Using Reports as Flow Steps"] updated: 2025-06-06T14:39:48Z published: 2025-06-06T14:39:48Z canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/using-reports-flow-steps" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Using Reports As Flow Steps ## Overview Report data is commonly used in a [Flow](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/flows) via the **Run** **Report** step; this step references a user-designated [Report](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/reports). Additionally, to aid in use in a Flow, the **Generate Step To Run Report** property in the Report Designer creates a unique **Data Type** specific to the configuration of the associated Report, as well as a Run Report step that is pre-configured to that Report. When a Report is used within a Flow, the step outputs the data as the default **Data Type**, **FileData**. FileData can be referenced in a variety of different ways, from [**Form controls**](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/form-control-glossary) to other Flow steps, giving Report data the flexibility to move throughout a Project. ### Prerequisites - The following examples require the use of a [pre-created Report](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/create-reports). --- ## Properties The following charts represent each section of the **Properties** tab for the **Run** **Report** step and their relative functions. #### Output Settings Output Settings properties define how the Report is output in the Flow. | Property | Description | | --- | --- | | Return Data Option | Outputs the Flow as the selected option. Options include: Data Rows, CSV File, All Report Data, Excel File, or PDF File | #### Outputs | Property | Description | | --- | --- | | Done | The output Report configured with the selected Return Data Option | #### Report Setup | Property | Description | | --- | --- | | | Report Source | Dictates how the Report is added to the Flow | | | | Pick | Chooses the Report using the PICK OR CREATE REPORT button. Pre-existing Reports are selected via choosing the Report and clicking PICK | | | | ReportId | Report is mapped in via Report Id | | | | ReportContext | Adds the Report via a Report Context Id | --- ## Run Report 1. [CREATE](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/create-flows) a Flow, or edit an existing Flow via **Edit Flow**. 2. In the Flow Designer, attach a **Run Report** step from **Toolbox > FAVORITE STEPS** or via **Toolbox > DESIGNER ENTITIES > REPORT**, to the **Start** and **End** steps.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2024-08-06_16h19_11.png) 3. From the **Properties** tab of the Run Report step, under REPORT SETUP, click PICK OR CREATE REPORT. In the resulting window, click PICK, select the desired Report, then click PICK once more. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2024-08-06_16h20_38.png) 4. From the Properties tab of the Run Report step, under OUTPUT SETTINGS, select the desired **Return Data Option** (for this example, **All Report Data**). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2024-08-06_16h22_16.png) 5. **Save**, then [**Debug**](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/using-the-flow-debugger) the Flow. 6. After the Flow runs, select the Run Report step and click **View Output Data**. Verify that the data is output as expected. In this example, each **Row** of the Report should be separated under **AllData**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2024-08-06_16h27_05.png) --- ## Generate Step To Run Report 1. Open a pre-existing **Report** in the Report Designer. 2. From the **Properties** tab, navigate to the REPORT ACCESS category. Then, enable **Generate Step To Run Report**. In the resulting field, provide the desired **Generate Type Name** value (for this example: "AccountReport"). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2024-08-06_16h28_45.png) 3. **Save** and close the Report. 4. From a new or pre-existing [Flow](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/create-flows), navigate to **TOOLBOX > DESIGNER ENTITES > REPORTING > [CURRENT FOLDER] > [REPORT NAME]**, and attach the **Run Report** step with the respective Report's name, to the **Start** and **End** steps. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2024-08-15_16h40_27.png) 5. Configure any additional **Properties** as desired such as the **Return Data Option**; then, **Save** and **Debug** the Flow. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2024-08-15_16h42_45.png) 6. Verify that the Flow runs as expected and that the Report outputs in the expected format. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2024-08-15_16h44_02.png) ### Generated Type After a Report has been saved with the **Generate Step To Run Report** property enabled, a [**Defined Data Structure**](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/creating-defined-data-structures-advanced) is created using the name provided under the **Generate Type Name** field. This Name can be used to locate the respective **Data Type** under **User Defined Types > Defined Data Structures [Advanced]** in the [Mapping Editor](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/using-the-mapping-editor).![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2024-08-15_17h02_53.png)Data generated from this **Data Type** is created using the structure established by the Report's **Columns**. The example **Data** **Fields** shown below are Created By, Created On Date, and Email Address which reflect the ones previously defined in the Report Designer. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2024-08-15_17h05_40.png) --- For further information on Reports, visit the [Decisions Forum](https://community.decisions.com/categories/Reports).