User-friendly criteria screens make reports easier to run

The report interface matters as much as the output

A report may be technically correct but still frustrating if users cannot easily choose dates, departments, customers, categories, or status filters. Criteria entry screens make reporting more usable and reduce support requests.

Good criteria screens can include

• Date range pickers and preset periods.
• Dropdowns tied to live database values.
• Checkboxes, radio buttons, and segmented choices for common filters.
• Validation that prevents impossible or incomplete selections.
• Export options for PDF, Excel, CSV, or print output.

WSI designs criteria screens that fit the users and the reporting process, whether the report runs in Access, SSRS, Crystal Reports, a web application, or a custom database system.

Improve Report Usability