---
title: Use custom reports
slug: data-platform/docs/use-custom-reports
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-08-10T12:05:14.000Z
---

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**

The terms *audiences* and *segments* are interchangeable. Optimizely has updated all *segments* to *audiences* on the **Audiences** page and is updating the UI on other pages. See  [Understand audiences](docId\:v-gHiL9jfINBey-4QNtFM) to get information on audiences.
:::

You can use the **Reports** tool in your Optimizely Data Platform (ODP) account to view standard reports and create custom reports. Custom reports let you analyze data from various sources, such as customer profiles and audiences, to gain deeper insights into customer behavior, optimize marketing strategies, and make data-driven decisions.

## Create a report

To create a custom report

1. Go to **Reports** **>** **Custom Report**.
2. Click **New Report**.

### Report elements

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/p6b7h3tBan2k-7dP-pCD__01-report-elements-1.png)

1. **Expression Filter** – An event must match the expression to be included in the report. You can review and manage the options that display in the [Filters tool](docId:1SXrAMaLAz-2u_TTw4U82).
   - *Date Range*\* – The date range refines the results of the report's expression further. Use the **link icon** to compare two different time periods. This comparison is reflected in the graph but does not affect the table. The table only reflects values from the primary date range.
2. **Simple Filter** – The simple filter lets you select a field and specify a value. This filter applies to events included in the report's expression.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/lp8VnPqsRgOR9QHPz9dzD_02-report-elements-2.png" size="100" isUploading="false" width="800" height="105" darkWidth="800" darkHeight="105" showCaption="false" indent="1"}

3. **Audience** – Further refine the report's results by only applying the report's expression to the customers in the selected audience. See [Create standard audiences](docId\:NANHdxpeOJqww6o4qGffi).
4. **Time Series Header** – Highlights the metric (shown as a function of time) and date range selected in the report's expression and shown in the time series chart.
5. **Axis Control** – You can determine how the date range of the time-series graph is broken down by hour, day, week, or month in the X-axis.
6. **Report Name** – This is the report's name, and it cannot be changed. To use a different name, click **Save > Save as New Report** and provide the required information, including the new name.
7. **Columns** – Display the results of the expression filter by a unique set of fields or rocket columns. A rocket column lets you further segment your results by crafting a powerful expression sentence. See [View ODP insights and observations](docId\:SVQYM9B_0axWkzendLoqp).

## Edit a report

To edit an existing custom report

1. Go to **Reports** **> Custom Reports**.
2. Click the name of the custom report you want to edit. 
3. Make the desired changes. To undo the changes, click **Revert Changes** on the **Save** drop-down list. 
4. Click **Save**. 

To edit an existing custom report while preserving the original

1. Go to **Reports > Custom Reports**.
2. Click the name of the customer report you want to preserve and edit. 
3. Expand the **Save** drop-down list and select **Save as New Report**. 
4. Set a new **Name** for the copy.
5. Select the **Visibility** for the copy.
6. Click **Save**.

You can now view the clone and make changes without affecting the original. 

## Share a report

You can export the information within a report for external review. You can also use the same report in ODP accounts by copying the report's structure. 

### Export

1. Go to **Reports** **>** **Custom Reports**.
2. Click the name of the custom report you want to export.
3. Click the **Export** icon.
4. In the prompt, select or deselect **Use display column headers**. Choose the **Export format**, and select the export file's **Destination**.  
5. Click **Export** to confirm the download.

### Copy to another account 

1. Go to **Reports** **>** **Custom Reports**.
2. Locate the report you want to share and click the **Copy** icon.
3. Select the **Account** and **Scope** with which you want to share the report. To create a copy instead, select the current account and scope.
4. Click **Copy** to confirm.