A report template contains instructions for gathering metadata from CentraSite registry/repository for one or more objects, and formatting it into an object-specific report. The template lets you create detailed reports for your objects containing data that you have specified. Using the Report Designer, you can also create report templates that have the exact content and presentation that you need.

Report templates can be constructed to represent a framework of formatted object-specific data references that will generate different reports, depending on the object-specific data being referenced. Depending on the object types that you include, a report template can be run against different objects to generate results specific to each object.

A report template is also an efficient way to create multiple reports that contain the specific information that you want to display. For example, if every report you create requires your organization name, address and the date that the report was generated, you want to be able to include that information on each report automatically, rather than adding it to each individual report that you generate. A report template enables you to define your required information once, and then generate it as many times as you want.

CentraSite provides a variety of predefined report templates that you can use to generate reports based on your objects. In addition, you can design your own report templates using the Eclipse-based Business Intelligence Reporting Tools (BIRT) Report Designer.

The BIRT Report Designer creates a .rptdesign file, which is also referred to as the Template File and which describes a predefined rptdesign layout that is used for creating the report templates. Using the BIRT reporting engine you can create report templates and generate reports for any object. For example, you might want a report that lists all of the unused assets in your organization. Or you might want a report that lists the most recent changes for a specified asset in the catalog.