Reference a Number from an MDFM Pivot Table

Reference a Number from an MDFM Pivot Table in a Text or a Header Block Walkthrough

Select Next to move through the guide. You can also zoom in and out of the image by selecting the Magnifying Glass in the bottom right-hand corner. You can view the full guide by selecting the External Link icon. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Click into the text block to edit it.
   1. Note: The functionality is the exact same for a Header block.
2. Click Insert Variable
   • Note: Depending on your screen size, the Insert Variable option may be under the Options (three dots) button.
3. Select Number
4. On Step 1, within the Source drop down, select the Statement Type to access the specific tables to reference.
5. Within Pivot View, select the specific table you want to reference.
6. Click Next.
7. On Step 2, select the value to reference in the data table.
8. Click Next when ready.
9. On Step 3, customize the appearance of the value.
   • The Prefix adds contextual wording before the value and includes dynamic options that change with the value's sign, such as “increases / decreases.” It adapts automatically if the underlying value changes sign in a future reporting period. Example: “increased by $19,826,154”
   • Number Format controls how the number itself is displayed. Choose Full Dollars for a currency-formatted figure, or None for a plain number. Example: $19,826,154 vs. 19,826,154
   • Scale rescales large values for readability in narrative text (e.g., Thousands, Millions, Billions). Example: $19.8 million instead of $19,826,154
   • Suffix adds wording after the value, such as a unit label or descriptive phrase. Example: “ $19,845,345 million increase”
10. Click Finish when ready to commit the changes.

The variable will be inserted into the text block. You will know it's a variable when the text and border is purple. Double click on the variable if you need to edit it. You can also copy and paste the variable to other text blocks within your report by selecting it and using Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V to copy and paste.

Reference a Number from a MDFM Pivot Table in a Chart or Manual Table Walkthrough

Select Next to move through the guide. You can also zoom in and out of the image by selecting the Magnifying Glass in the bottom right-hand corner. You can view the full guide by selecting the External Link icon. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Select the table to begin the process and click Edit Table
   • Note: This is the same functionality when editing a chart. Select Edit Chart instead.
2. Click the cell where you want to insert a variable.
3. Click the Variable icon (link icon with a drop down).
4. Select Number
5. On Step 1, within the Source drop down, select the Statement Type to access the specific tables to reference.
6. Within Pivot View, select the specific table you want to reference.
7. Click Next.
8. On Step 2, select the value to reference in the data table.
9. Click Finish when ready to commit the changes.

You will know the data in the cell is a variable in a table if it has a purple cell border and a grey font. Double click on the variable if you need to edit it. You can also copy and paste the variable to other text blocks within your report by selecting it and using Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V to copy and paste.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I select multiple numbers within the Pivot View when creating a Number Variable?

A: If you want to select multiple figures from this view, hold Ctrl to select a range of numbers either vertically or horizontally within the pivot table.