This recipe shows that most of the times it is possible to use a crosstab report instead of a list report, and then discusses the pros and cons of each.
Create a new List type of report based on this package.
Drag columns on the list shown as follows. Create grouping and sorting for Product line and Product.
Run the report to test it.
Now save this report and create a new report of 'Crosstab' type.
Drag items on the crosstab shown as follows. Define sorting on Product line and Product.
Run the report to test it.
You will see that both reports bring the same data back. It is a general practice to use lists for relational models whereas crosstabs for dimensional models. I believe this practice comes from the fact that multidimensional databases (cubes) are accessed using MDX that naturally returns the data in two axes.
However, the biggest factors that drive the...