# Advanced reports, snapshots and dynamic dashboards

*Platform Administrator II Study Guide · Data and Analytics Management · Last updated October 26, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-administrator-ii/data-and-analytics-management/advanced-reports-snapshots-and-dynamic-dashboards*

Choose the right advanced reporting tool for a requirement: custom report types and lookup fields, reporting snapshot mapping and its running user, summary formulas and charts, bucket columns, joined reports, cross filters, dynamic dashboards and dashboard filters, with the limits that decide exam scenarios.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Administrator II
- Exam section: Data and Analytics Management
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-administrator-ii

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a scenario, determine the appropriate analytic tools to meet complex reporting requirements (custom report types, reporting snapshots, complex charting, custom summary formulas, bucketing, joined reports, cross filters, dynamic dashboards, dashboard filters).

## What the exam expects

- Design a custom report type, including related objects and fields added via lookup.
- Set up a reporting snapshot (source report, target object, mapping, running user, schedule) and diagnose blank fields, failed runs and missing rows.
- Write summary formulas (PREVGROUPVAL, PARENTGROUPVAL) and know when they can't filter, group or chart.
- Choose between bucket columns, formula fields, joined reports and cross filters given their limits.
- Configure dynamic dashboards and dashboard filters, and explain edition limits and owner-field filter restrictions.

Key terms: **custom report type** (the objects and fields a report can use); **reporting snapshot** (scheduled load of report results into a custom object); **summary formula** (calculation on grouped totals); **bucket column** (report-only categories); **cross filter** (WITH/WITHOUT on a child object); **dynamic dashboard** (each viewer sees only their data).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Snapshot rows per run | 2,000 maximum | [Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.rd_reports_dashboards_limits.htm&type=5) |
| Snapshot field without access | Dropped from mapping; run succeeds | [Map Reporting Snapshot Fields](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.data_mapping_analytic_snap.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Unmapped required target field | Run fails | [Map Reporting Snapshot Fields](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.data_mapping_analytic_snap.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Summary formula prerequisite | At least one grouping | [Summary Formula Tips](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.reports_csf_tips.htm&type=5) |
| Second-level summary formula as chart measure | Chart shows no results | [Add a Summary Formula Column](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.building_custom_summary_formulas.htm&language=en_US) |
| PREVGROUPVAL increment | Default 1, maximum 12 | [Formula Operators and Functions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.customize_functions.htm&type=5) |
| Combination chart | Up to 3 extra measures; a column measure can plot as a line on a second axis | [Combination Charts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=reports_combination_charts_using.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Historical trend reporting | Compares five snapshot dates; reporting snapshots load a custom object instead | [Historical Changes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.reports_historical_trending.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Conditional highlighting | Not available in joined reports | [Joined Report Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=analytics.reports_unavailable_with_joined_reports.htm&type=5) |
| Bucket fields | 5 per report; only in that report | [Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.rd_reports_dashboards_limits.htm&type=5) |
| Joined report | Up to 5 blocks; no buckets or cross filters | [Joined Report Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=analytics.reports_unavailable_with_joined_reports.htm&type=5) |
| Cross filters | 3 per report, 5 subfilters each; no filter logic | [Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.rd_reports_dashboards_limits.htm&type=5) |
| Dynamic dashboards | 5 Enterprise, 10 Unlimited/Performance, 3 Developer | [Dynamic Dashboards](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=analytics.dashboards_dynamic_overview.htm&type=5) |
| Dashboard filters | 5 per dashboard, 50 values each | [Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.rd_reports_dashboards_limits.htm&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Why must a report be grouped before you can add a summary formula column?
- When does a reporting snapshot run fail rather than drop a field?
- Which two report features can't be added to a joined report?
- When can't you add a filter to a dashboard at all?

## Sources

- [Custom Report Types](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=xcloud.reports_report_type_setup.htm&type=5)
- [Create a Custom Report Type in the Legacy Custom Report Type Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.reports_defining_report_types.htm&type=5)
- [Report on Historical Data with Reporting Snapshots](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.data_about_analytic_snap.htm&type=5)
- [Map Reporting Snapshot Fields](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.data_mapping_analytic_snap.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Reports and Dashboards Limits and Allocations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.rd_reports_dashboards_limits.htm&type=5)
- [Add a Summary Formula Column to a Report](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.building_custom_summary_formulas.htm&language=en_US)
- [Get the Most Out of Summary Formulas: Tips, Limits, and Limitations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.reports_csf_tips.htm&type=5)
- [Formula Operators and Functions by Context](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.customize_functions.htm&type=5)
- [Show Multiple Sets of Data in One Chart](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=reports_combination_charts_using.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Report on Historical Changes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.reports_historical_trending.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Categorize Data with Bucket Columns](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.reports_bucketing_overview.htm&type=5)
- [Joined Report Limits, Limitations, and Allocations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=analytics.reports_unavailable_with_joined_reports.htm&type=5)
- [Filter Across Objects with Cross Filters](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.reports_cross_filters.htm&language=en_US)
- [Optimize Report Filtering Techniques (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lex_implementation_reports_dashboards/lex_implementation_reports_dashboards_filter_your_report)
- [Dynamic Dashboards](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=analytics.dashboards_dynamic_overview.htm&type=5)
- [Build a Lightning Experience Dashboard](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.dashboards_create_lex.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 12 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Administrator II pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams