Payroll Custom Report Builder

The Payroll Custom Report Builder in BambooHR allows admins to create, save, and manage payroll reports using data from the Complete Summary Report. This tool enhances payroll auditing and reporting efficiency by minimizing manual data handling. Access is limited to specific user roles within BambooHR Payroll. Users can navigate to the report builder via the Reports section, create new reports, and customize data columns, sorting, grouping, and filtering options. Reports can be saved for future use, with capabilities to export, duplicate, or delete them. Important limitations include the necessity of selecting a unique employee identifier for accurate data aggregation and the restriction of one grouping option per report. Additional resources are available for further guidance.

  • Jul 9, 2026
  • Knowledge

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Payroll Custom Report Builder
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Payroll Custom Report Builder Summary

Admins can use the Payroll Custom Report Builder to create, save, and manage custom payroll reports in BambooHR with data from the Complete Summary Report. This tool streamlines payroll auditing, data transfers, and stakeholder reporting by eliminating the need for manual downloads and data manipulation across pay periods.

Frequently Asked Questions - Payroll Custom Report Builder

Who can access the Payroll Custom Report Builder?

Current BambooHR Payroll customer with one of the following access levels:

  • Full Admin + EIN permissions
  • Payroll Admin + EIN permissions

If you are a new BambooHR Payroll Customer, the following access levels will also be able to access the Custom Report Builder:

  • Payroll Admin (Non-Approver) + EIN permissions
  • Payroll Reports Only + EIN permissions
Where can I find the Payroll Custom Report Builder?

Go to Reports > Payroll Reports > Custom Reports. You will find the Custom Reports tab within Payroll Reports. 

What types of data are available?

You can access the same data found in the Payroll Complete Summary Report, including:

  • Payroll Demographics
  • Payroll Totals
  • Hours & Wages
  • Employee and Company Deductions
  • Employee and Company Taxes
Can I reuse my custom reports?

Yes. You can save and rerun reports anytime without recreating configurations.

How to Use the Payroll Custom Report Builder Step-by-Step

1. Navigate to Custom Reports
  • Go to Reports > Payroll Reporting > Custom Reports.
  • You’ll see a list of all existing custom reports and an option to create a new report.
2. Create a New Report
  • Click New Report.
  • Add or remove data columns using the Add/Remove Columns button.
  • Use Sort, Group, and Filter tools to organize data as needed.
3. Add or Remove Columns
  • Be sure to include an employee unique identifier (employee name, ID, etc.).
  • Choose fields from available payroll data categories (e.g., Wages, Deductions, Taxes).
  • Reorder columns by dragging and dropping.
  • Rename headers via the gear icon next to each column.
  • Remove columns by clicking the X icon.
4. Sort and Group Data
  • Sort by any column using options such as A–Z, Newest to Oldest, or Lowest to Highest.
  • You can apply multiple sorts.
  • You can group data by one column at a time (e.g., by Department or Division).
5. Apply Filters
  • Filter reports by any selected column.
  • The tool automatically sets default filters:
    • Pay Schedule defaults to your most frequent schedule
    • When do you want to see data from? defaults to Last Payroll
  • Choose from time options: Last Payroll, Last Month, Last Quarter, Last Year, or select custom dates.
  • You can apply multiple filters simultaneously.
6. Save and Manage Reports
  • Name and save your report.
  • After saving, you can:
    • Apply new filters
    • Re-enter the edit mode
    • Export as CSV
    • Duplicate or delete the report

Important Notes/Limitations

  • The report builder does not aggregate values for Hours, Wages, Deductions, and Taxes if an employee unique identifier is not selected (employee name or ID).
  • Only one grouping option can be applied per report.
  • Default filters (Pay Schedule and Date Range) are automatically added when creating a new report.
  • Each report links to the selected EIN, so verify that you’re working under the correct entity.
  • This feature is currently available to all BambooHR Payroll clients and cannot be accessed by users without Payroll permissions.
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