Why use this instead of the native report chart
Published on November 12, 2026 Custom Lightning Report Chart
Why use this instead of the native report chart
The native report chart is great for quick, standard visuals. The Custom Report Chart goes further: more chart styles, more control from the page, and reuse of one report across many pages and audiences, all without editing the report itself.
Where it beats native
| Need | Native report chart | Custom Report Chart |
|---|---|---|
| Chart styles | Standard set (bar, column, line, donut, funnel and so on). No 3D. | Adds 3D bar, 3D horizontal bar and 3D cylinder. |
| Chart depends on the report | The chart must be saved inside the report. | You pick the type on the page, so one report can feed several different charts. |
| Choosing the grouping | Uses the report's saved chart grouping. | Grouping Index picks the 1st or 2nd "Group Rows" level on the page, without editing the report. |
| Filtering by the record | One field on the record can filter the chart. | Up to two record fields, plus extra filters as JSON. Filters can also be matched by column name. |
| Multiple measures | Limited. | Several summary columns can appear as separate series (bar and line). |
| Top N and sorting | Set in the report. | Sort and Max Groups on the page. |
| Sharing a report that users can't open | Users need report access to see it. | Access still follows sharing (with sharing), so it is no looser. Your admin controls access through the Apex class. |
| Reuse across Experience Cloud, Flow, home and app pages | Varies by page type. | Exposed on record, app, home, flow and Experience Cloud targets. |
| Extra card features | Basic. | Expand to full screen, refresh, "View Report" link, optional data table underneath. |
| Branding | Standard colours. | A fixed palette, with room to extend it. |
Why someone would go looking for it
- Their native chart can't show what they need, such as a 3D or cylinder chart for a customer-facing or executive page.
- They want one report reused for many views. For example, Opportunities by Stage on one page and by Owner on another, without cloning the report.
- They need record-aware charts that go beyond a single filter.
- They want a more polished, branded look on pages they show to customers or leadership.
- They want non-technical admins to change the chart type, sorting or Top N in App Builder instead of editing the report.
Most important use cases
- Account 360 page: this Account's Opportunities by Stage, Cases by Priority, Spend by Product.
- Customer-facing portal: usage or order summaries on an Experience Cloud page, using the same component.
- Executive home page: Top 5 deals by owner, pipeline by region, shown as a polished 3D or bar chart.
- Project or delivery tracking: hours by role or phase, comparing estimate and actual as a two-series chart. This fits QuoteX and resourcing views.
- Service pages: cases by status, with a table underneath for the numbers.
- One report, many audiences: the same report on a Sales, Finance and Support page with different sorting, limits and chart types.
- Flow screens: show a report-based chart inside a guided process.
Honest limits
- It plots Summary reports only. Matrix reports are not supported yet, and tabular reports can't be charted.
Knowledge Article Number: KA-00500