FAQ
The questions asked most often about Advanced Report Builder, answered.
Can a shared report show somebody data they are not allowed to see?
No. Running a report reads with the runner's own access rights. Sharing a definition shares the question, not the answer.
Then why does the scheduled email work differently?
It does not - it reads with the Run as person's rights. The difference is that a schedule sends to people who may not have those rights, which is why the field is prominent and why the setup screen says so.
Can I put a formula or a computed column in a report?
No, deliberately. A column names a field, optionally one hop through a relation. If you need a computed value, add a computed field to the model in Odoo - where it can be tested, and where it is subject to access rules.
Why only one hop?
A report that has to walk three models is a report about the wrong model. Build it on the far one instead.
Can it produce charts?
No. Odoo's graph and pivot views do that well. This is for the tabular report you need to send somebody every Monday.
What formats can it send?
Spreadsheet (.xlsx), CSV, or a table in the email body. Small reports do not need an attachment; large ones do.
Why is my monthly report on the 28th and not the 31st?
Days after the 28th do not exist in every month. A report that silently skips February is worse than one that runs three days early.
Why did my scheduled report not arrive?
If it found no rows, it is not sent - unless you tick Send even when empty. The schedule's Last result says so.
Does it need any Python packages?
No. xlsxwriter is used for spreadsheets and ships with Odoo. If it is missing, attachments fall back to CSV rather than failing.
How large a report can it run?
Up to 20,000 rows per definition. Above that you want an export or a BI tool - and if you want a BI tool, the Power BI Connector publishes these same definitions as OData tables.
Can I copy a report?
Yes. Duplicate the definition; the columns come with it.