What should be included in report definitions to ensure utility?

Including calculated fields in report definitions enhances their utility by allowing users to derive meaningful insights directly from the data presented. Calculated fields can be utilized to perform operations on existing data, such as aggregating values, calculating averages, or implementing conditional logic before the report is generated. This capability enables users to tailor their reports to meet specific analytical needs, making the data more informative and actionable.

The use of calculated fields simplifies reporting by reducing the need for additional data manipulation outside of the reporting framework, streamlining the analysis process. By embedding these calculations within the report definition, users can automatically see updated figures as the underlying data changes, thereby maintaining accuracy and relevance of the insights generated.

In contrast, while appendix notes, external data sources, and active user permissions contribute to various aspects of reporting or data management, they do not enhance the report's capacity for direct data analysis and insight generation in the same way calculated fields do.