Evaluation of GnuCash Data in OpenOffice.org

Example 2: Daily Expenses of a Month

The first steps are the same as in our first example:

We have to choose the data source and of course we pick our database and the Table "ALL_TRANSACTIONS".

Here comes the DataPilot. This time we design the following layout:

The rectangular buttons with the fieldnames of the table "ALL_TRANSACTIONS" can be moved by "Drag & Drop" into the different areas of the layout. We do this as displayed above:

Thereafter we press "OK" and the evaluation appears - you have to wait a little once again.

Formatting is the same as in the first example:

Surely Format -> Column -> Optimal Width is recommendable for all columns.
The formatting for the numbers should not be done directly unless you want unnecessarily repeat this every time you update the evaluation. Instead it is adviseable to do this via "Styles and Formatting". This is a little tricky:
1. Click into a value cell inside the evaluation.
2. Press F11 - or Format -> Styles and Formatting from the Menü.
3. The window "Styles and Formatting" should be docked to the right side of the Calc sheet. If you cannot find it, look under "Styles and Formatting" in the index of the openOffice.org help (F1).

4. Click on "DataPilot Value" in the mentioned window with your right mousebutton, i.e. call the context menue of "DataPilot value", and select "Modify".

5. Select the desired format for numbers.

6. Repeat the procedure for "DataPilot Result"

Drill-down

A doubleclick on one of the value cells will lead to the display of the involved transactions - again this is a little slow and you might have to do some formatting again. Nevertheless it is a phantastic function if you want to analyze some anomality in your expenses!

Alternative layout

Try dragging not only "ACCOUNT-NAME" but both "ACCOUNT-NAME" and "DESCRIPTION" to the Row Fields. This will give you a line for every transaction.

Explanatory note for regular operation:

If you want to update naturally you will have to update the database before. The evaluation itself is updated with Data -> DataPilot -> Refresh. One of the cells inside of the evaluation must have the focus for this option to be executable.