A table is a data region that presents data row by row. Table columns are static. Table rows expand downwards to accommodate the data. You can add groups to tables, which organize data by selected fields or expressions. For information about adding a table to a report, see Adding a Table (Reporting Services).

A matrix is also known as a crosstab. A matrix data region contains both columns and rows that expand to accommodate the data. A matrix can have dynamic columns and rows and static columns and rows. Columns or rows can contain other columns or rows, and can be used to group data. For information about adding a matrix to a report, see Adding a Matrix (Reporting Services).

A list is a data region that presents data arranged in a freeform fashion. You can arrange report items to create a form with text boxes, images, and other data regions placed anywhere within the list. For information about adding a list to a report, see Adding a List (Reporting Services).

A chart presents data graphically. Examples of charts include bar, pie, and line charts, but many more styles are supported. For information about adding a chart to a report, see Working with Chart Data Regions.

A gauge presents data as a range with an indicator pointing to a specific value within the range. Gauges are used to display key performance indicators (KPIs) and other metrics. Examples of gauges include linear and circular. For more information about adding a gauge to a report, see Working with Gauge Data Regions.

You can nest data regions within other data regions. For example, if you want to create a sales record for each sales person in a database, you can create a list with text boxes and an image to display information about the employee, and then add table and chart data regions to the list to show the employee's sales record. For more information, see Nesting Data Regions.

You can link more than one data region to the same dataset to provide different views of the same data. For example, you can show the same data in a table and in a chart. You can author the report to provide interactive sort buttons on the table, so that when you sort the table, the chart is also automatically sorted. For more information, see Linking Multiple Data Regions to the Same Dataset.

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