A finished report.
A clear handoff.

Start with the reading experience

PDF suits a finished report where page layout, headings, and presentation are part of the deliverable. Choose it when the recipient needs to read or share a result rather than reshape a dataset. Give the report a specific title and identify its reporting period and units.

The sample report presents three fictional customer records on one page. It demonstrates a compact, readable handoff with the same underlying data as the CSV, JSON, and XLSX files.

Treat layout as part of correctness

Test long names, wide columns, missing values, and tables that cross a page boundary. Repeat table headers when necessary, keep numbers aligned with their labels, and avoid relying on color alone to communicate a result. Check that text remains selectable and that the file opens in the intended viewers.

The SaaS reporting guide covers the surrounding workflow. For a broader decision, see the format comparison.

Offer a data companion when needed

A fixed report is not always the right source for subsequent analysis. If recipients also need raw records, consider delivering a companion CSV or XLSX with matching scope and timestamps. Label the relationship clearly so the report and the underlying table can be reconciled.