How to Create Automated and Well-Designed Reports in Confluence

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Your stakeholders don't have time to sift through endless data. Clarity and consistency are everything, and that's where reports in Confluence shine.

Structured reports keep everyone in sync, whether it's for decision paperwork, functional cooperation, or development analysis.

But let's face it; manual reporting can be difficult. Uncertain design, scattered data, and continual revisions can easily turn a useful report into a time-waster.

The result? Wasted hours and frustrated teams.

This guide shows you how to automate and design beautiful reports in Confluence, so your team gets the insights they need without the manual grind.

Why Reporting in Confluence Matters

Imagine a workspace where everyone stays in sync, decisions are backed by data, and stakeholders never have to ask, "Where's the latest update?".

That's the power of reporting in Confluence:

• Teams stay informed and in sync with the latest news instead of enduring Slack messages or email threads.
• With organised paperwork, important decisions and findings are all in a single database, reducing the need to search through databases or files.

• Stakeholders can see development, goals, and barriers clearly when they need to, thanks to improved visibility.

Confluence becomes your team's one source of truth when properly configured, going beyond a simple wiki.

Native Reporting Capabilities in Confluence

Confluence gives you a solid head start with its built-in reporting tools. You can:

• Use page templates to create structured reports quickly
• Add macros like Tables, Page Properties, and Status to bring your data to life
• Keep things linked and consistent across multiple pages
  
  

Sounds great, right? Well… sort of.

While these native tools are helpful, they can fall short when reports need to scale or look polished for leadership. 

Think clunky layouts, manual edits, and a lack of visual flair.

The bottom line? Confluence gets you started, but it needs a boost to deliver reports that are both automated and presentation-ready.

Automating Reports with the ARNR Helper App

Say goodbye to manual updates and hello to smart, seamless automation. 

The Automated Release Notes & Reports (ARNR) Helper App brings the power of Jira automation straight into your Confluence workspace.

What It Does

Automatically create or update Confluence pages with release notes or custom reports pulled directly from Jira. 

Whether you're closing a sprint, shipping a new version, or generating a weekly report, this app handles it all.

Key Benefits

• Live Jira Data: Confluence pages can be directly updated with Jira issue data by using clever macros.

• Eliminate Manual Input: Say farewell to hard copy-paste jobs.
• Scheduled Reports: Send out messages according to product releases, sprint ending, or personalised timetables.

Whether you're publishing weekly status updates, release summaries, or team performance reports, ARN&R keeps your documentation fresh, fast, and flawless.

Improving Report Presentation in Confluence

Nobody wants to read a wall of text. A well-designed report can be the difference between driving meaningful action and being completely ignored by stakeholders.

Thankfully, it's easier to add structure and style to your Confluence report than you might think!

Thankfully, it's easier to add structure and style to your Confluence report than you might think!

Using Confluence's Native Features

Confluence comes with a range of built-in features to make reporting look cleaner and more accessible. We'd recommend using:

• Layouts: Break your page into multiple columns to share information alongside each other. It’s an ideal way to share charts and data without overwhelming readers.
  
  

• Tables: Present metrics and findings clearly and easily with a built-in table. You can even create charts from the data to give your numbers more visual context.
  
  

• Iframes: If your data lives on an external website like Google Sheets, you can embed it on your page to save users from jumping between tabs.

While these features structure the page and make reports more readable, they don't give your reports finesse, strengthen brand identity, or instantly captivate stakeholders. This is where a third-party app comes in.

Making Reports More Engaging with Mosaic

Want to grab the attention of your readers immediately? Mosaic: Content Formatting Macros & Templates is here to ensure that your reports get seen, not shelved.

Mosaic comes with a range of macros designed to transform your pages and bring your reports to life. Here are just a few examples:

• Advanced Cards: If you have important results you want to shout about, backgrounds are a great way to make them stand out on your page.
  
  
• Background: Use backgrounds to create distinct sections and titles, making your report more scannable.
• Tabs: Make your page more digestible by organising information into tabbed categories. This hides away information until your users are ready to read it.

• Tooltip: Got definitions or acronyms users might need clarification on? Keep your page clutter-free by adding extra context with a tooltip.
  
  
• Numbered Headings: Add automatic, multi-level numbered headings - applied to the headings you choose - to help users find the right section at a glance.
  
  
• LaTeX: Easily add technical formulas to your Confluence pages - ideal for scientific and academic reports.

⚡️Build Engaging Reports Faster with Smart Designer & Templates

Not sure where to begin? Smart Designer, Mosaic’s built-in design wizard, gets your report off the ground in minutes rather than hours. You don’t need any design know-how - just highlight your text, click “Start Designing”, and transform your text into a range of visual macros.

Want to save yourself the effort of creating your report from scratch? Mosaic comes with a range of pre-built page templates, including a Monthly Project Report, Product Roadmap, Sprint Plan, and more. All you need to do is add your information in the placeholders, and you're ready to go.

Summary & Takeaway

Confluence is more than just a wiki. With the right tools, it can be your team's go-to reporting powerhouse.

By combining the automation muscle of the ARNR app with the beautiful design enhancements of Mosaic, you can:

• Streamline reporting without the manual grind
• Make reports that are both visually appealing and educational
• Easily and automatically keep stakeholders informed

The outcome? Reports that your team actually read, more rapid action, and improved alignment.

Now is the moment to let Confluence handle the laborious tasks while you concentrate on the insights.