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      Data Visualizations: Frequently Asked Questions

      • What is Data Visualization?

          • Data Visualization screens are your new reporting tool that will eventually replace the current Aggregate Reports within PantrySoft. 
          • They provide a visual representation of your aggregated client data. 

      • When will I be able to access Data Visualizations in PantrySoft?

          • Thursday, March 13, 2025 

      • Where do I go in PantrySoft to access Data Visualization screens?

          • Please follow these steps: 
            1. Open the Reporting tab.
            2. Select “Data Visualizations”.
            3. Pick the Correct visualization.

      • What Data Visualizations will I have access to on day one? 

          • Full Activity Counts - These Visualizations provide insights into the total visit/service/distribution activity within the dataset. This can be compared to client responses to Custom Questions. Following are screenshots from the Base Full Activity Counts report:

          • Below the Demographics section, you will have access to the base reports available for your custom Registration, Demographic and Interview (Visit) questions.  

          • All Client Records - These visualizations provide an overview of all the client data currently in the organization's system. This can also be compared against client responses to Custom Questions. 




      • When would I use Data Visualizations versus Dynamic Reports?

          • Utilize Data Visualizations when you want to see charts and graphs of aggregated data. 
          • When you need to see a full list of client records with one row per household, member or visit - with client-specific information - you should access Dynamic Reports.

      • When do the Data Visualizations Pull Data?

          • Unlike Dynamic Reports- which pull data in real-time - the data visualizations pull data once a day. 
          • Because of this, you may notice data discrepancies between your dynamic reports and your Data Visualizations if you are looking at them on the same day of data entry. The discrepancy between the two reports will be resolved with the Data Visualizations refresh, which will occur nightly.

      • How do I export from the Data Visualization Screens? 

          • Data can also be exported from the Table View, which is located at the bottom of the Data Visualization screen. Users can click the three dots in the corner of the table and select the Export to CSV option.
            Export step 1
            export step 2

      • What if there is a discrepancy between a Dynamic Report and the Data Visualization? 

            • Because the Data Visualizations pull data once a day while Dynamic Reports pull data in real-time, you may notice data discrepancies between your dynamic reports and your Data Visualizations if you are looking at them over a range that contains the day of data entry, or if you make updates to historical data. The discrepancy between the two reports will be resolved with the Data Visualizations refresh, which will occur nightly.

      • What if there is a discrepancy between the Aggregate Report and the Data Visualization Report? 

            • Trust your Data Visualization and Dynamic Report numbers.
            • One reason for this discrepancy is due to drift on dates as a result of time zone differences. That, combined with our inability to see and control the data queries behind the aggregate reports is a part of the impetus to this reporting tool switch.

      • What’s the difference between “Unique” and “Unduplicated”?

          • In PantrySoft, there is none. "Unique" and “Unduplicated” counts both refer to each client being counted once, no matter how many times they visited in the date range.

      • What is the distinction between “Household” and “Client”?

          • Within PantrySoft, "Household" and "Client” or “Client Record" are the same thing, often used interchangeably.
          • The name that gets tied to that Household/Client Record is whoever is identified as the Primary Household Member/Head of Household at the time of creation in PantrySoft.

      • What is the difference between a “Client”/”Household” and a “Household Member”?

          • A “Client/Household” is the name of the Primary Household Member or Head of Household who represents the entire household.
          • A “Household Member” is any individual member of the household/client record.

      For additional details or questions, please contact our support team using the form at this link or email support@pantrysoft.com.