Blog: Building Better Reporting in Workday: Lessons From the Trenches

Workday reporting is one of those areas where the learning curve is steep but incredibly rewarding. Many new report writers assume they can simply transfer their SQL, Excel, or Power BI skills into Workday and get the same results. What they quickly discover is that Workday has its own logic, its own rules, and a few quirks along the way. For most of us, it takes time to understand business objects, data sources, and the layered nature of calculated fields.

One of the fastest ways to get up to speed isn’t to build from scratch — it’s to copy what’s already there. Standard reports are a gold mine. Making a copy, exploring the fields, and extending it is often the most efficient way to get 80 percent of the way there. That last 20 percent, especially when calculated fields and related objects are involved, can take 80 percent of the time, but the foundation matters.

Governance is equally important. Consider the impact of allowing too many people to build reports, creating inconsistent definitions and reports with incorrect data. One of the simplest ways to manage this is to limit who can create, and especially who can share, reports. Local experimentation is fine — global broadcast is where quality matters. That discipline prevents “Workday says X” from becoming a recurring headache when Workday doesn’t say that at all — a flawed report does.

Discovery Boards and Matrix reports also change how report writers deliver value. When users can drill, visualize, and explore data quickly, reporting becomes a conversation rather than a static output. Those capabilities often unlock the “aha” moments that spreadsheets never could. In many organizations, the first time employees see their data presented visually is when Workday starts to feel worth the investment.

The common thread across all of this is intentionality: thoughtful design, clear definitions, and continuous cleanup. Reporting in Workday isn’t just a technical skill, it’s a stewardship responsibility.

If you want a deeper dive into how teams can level up reporting — from governance to visual analytics — check out this week’s episode of Workday Gold.