Step-by-Step Tutorial: Creating a Custom Report Using the Custom Report Editor Step-by-Step Tutorial: Creating a Custom Report Using the Custom Report Editor

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Creating a Custom Report Using the Custom Report Editor

Press here to view the video tutorial.

The Custom Report Editor allows you to build reports using the exact data you need, with greater control over layout, filtering, and formatting. This flexibility helps ensure your reports align with how you work and how you present information to clients.

Step 1: Access the Custom Report Editor

You can access the Custom Report Editor in one of two ways:

  • From within a DC Compliance plan:
    Navigate to Compliance Menu > Miscellaneous > Custom Report Editor.
  • From anywhere else in the software:
    Click the Wolters Kluwer button, hover over Reports, and select DC Compliance Report Editor.

Once the editor opens, you can choose to create a new report or edit an existing one.

Step 2: Create a New Report

To create a new report, select Add New.
For this example, the report will list all census participants who are over age 72 and subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs). Name the report “RMD: Over 72.”

Step 3: Select Page and Print Options

Before adding content, configure the report’s layout and print settings:

  • Page Orientation:
    • Select either portrait or landscape. 
    • Select Landscape if the report will include many columns.
  • Print Style:
    Choose the same print style used in client packages to ensure custom reports integrate seamlessly with standard system reports.
  • Division Handling:
    Custom reports support plans with or without divisions.
    • If divisions are set to Yes or Reporting Only and Document per Division is checked, the report prints as a ZIP file with one report per division.
    • If unchecked, the report prints as a single file with divisions listed sequentially.
    • This option applies only to ad hoc printing and is not available when printing through a Client Package or Global Client Package.
  • Additional Options:
    • Mask SSNs to display only the last four digits
    • Display dollar signs for currency fields
    • Include page numbers

All reports automatically include a header showing the Plan Name, Report Name, and Plan Year End.

Step 4: Add Report Parts

Reports are built using parts, which determine both content and layout. Each part can include headers, text blocks, or data grids, and a single report may contain multiple parts.

To begin building the report:

  1. Select Add New Part.
  2. Choose Data Grid.
  3. Name the grid “RMD Over 72 Grid.”

Step 5: Select Fields for the Data Grid

Within the data grid, choose the fields you want to display. Fields are organized into groups such as participant demographics, annual data, and plan-level values.

To add fields:

  1. Expand the appropriate Field Group on the right-hand side.
  2. Use the Search box to quickly locate fields.
  3. Click the arrow to add each field to the grid.

For this report, add the following fields:

  • Participant > General
    • Last Name
    • First Name
    • SSN
    • 5% Owner Indicator
  • Participant > Annual
    • Age
  • Plan > RMD
    • RMD Distribution Calendar Year
    • RMD Due Date
    • Total Account Balance for RMD Purposes
    • RMD Distribution Amount

You can reorder fields by moving them up or down within the grid.

Step 6: Format the Data Grid

Use formatting options to ensure the report is clear and professional:

  • Edit column display names to make them more user-friendly
  • Adjust column widths to prevent unwanted text wrapping

Step 7: Sort the Data

Sorting controls the order in which results appear.
For this report, add a sort on Last Name, which defaults to ascending order.

Step 8: Apply Filters

Filters allow you to narrow the report results to specific participants.

For this example, apply the following filters:

  • Age greater than 72
  • RMD Distribution Amount not equal to 0
  • RMD Distribution Calendar Year equal to 2026

Once filtering is complete, save the grid, then save the report before closing the Custom Report Editor.

Step 9: Run Required Tasks Before Printing

Before printing the report, ensure all required system tasks have been completed. For RMD-related reports, this typically includes:

  • Running the Data Scrub
  • Processing prior-year transactional data
  • Running RMD calculations

Step 10: Print or Include the Report in a Client Package

After saving, the report can be:

  • Printed on demand from Miscellaneous > Custom Reports
  • Exported to Word, PDF, or CSV
  • Included in a Client Package or Global Client Package

To include a custom report in a client package, follow the same steps used for system reports. Assign the report a number to control the order in which it prints.