jx:group

jx:group creates Excel outline grouping on the output rows, giving users the ability to expand and collapse sections. Ideal for hierarchical reports, department breakdowns, and any template where detail rows should be hideable.

Syntax

jx:group(lastCell="D1" collapsed="false")
jx:group(lastCell="D1" collapsed="true")

Attributes

Attribute	Required	Description
lastCell	Yes	Bottom-right cell of the group area
collapsed	No	Whether the group starts collapsed (default: false)

When to use jx:group

Use it when your report has hierarchical structure that users should be able to drill into:

• Department summary with expandable employee details
• Quarterly totals with collapsible monthly breakdowns
• Category headers with hidden line items
• Executive summary that expands into full detail

Example: Departments with expandable employees

Cell A1 comment:
  jx:area(lastCell="D20")
  jx:each(items="departments" var="dept" lastCell="D5")

Cell A2 comment:
  jx:each(items="dept.Employees" var="e" lastCell="D2")
  jx:group(lastCell="D2" collapsed="false")

Row 1 contains ${dept.Name} (the department header). Rows 2+ contain ${e.Name}, ${e.Title}, etc. The jx:group wraps the employee rows in an outline group. In the output, users see the [+]/[-] controls in the row gutter to expand/collapse each department’s employees.

Example: Collapsed by default

For executive summaries where detail should be hidden initially:

jx:group(lastCell="D1" collapsed="true")

The group starts collapsed. Users see only the summary rows and can click to expand when they need details.

Nested groups

Excel supports up to 8 levels of outline nesting. Nest jx:group commands to create multi-level hierarchies:

Cell A1 comment:
  jx:each(items="regions" var="region" lastCell="D10")

Cell A2 comment:
  jx:each(items="region.Departments" var="dept" lastCell="D5")
  jx:group(lastCell="D5")

Cell A3 comment:
  jx:each(items="dept.Employees" var="e" lastCell="D3")
  jx:group(lastCell="D3")

Region > Department > Employee — each level independently collapsible.

Deferred execution

jx:group uses deferred execution. The group ranges are recorded during template processing and applied after all rows are written, ensuring correct row references even when loops expand the output.

Common pitfalls

• Excel caps outline depth at 8 levels. Nesting jx:group beyond 8 levels has no visual effect after the 8th.
• collapsed="true" hides the rows by setting them invisible. Users still see the [+] control to expand. If you want them truly hidden until expanded, this is the right default; if you want them always visible, leave collapsed off.
• Hidden grouped rows still count for _row. If you reference the built-in _row variable inside a grouped area, it’s based on the actual row index — hiding doesn’t renumber.
• Summary rows above vs below. Excel’s outline direction (summary rows above or below detail) is a sheet-wide setting, not a per-group setting. Configure it in your template before saving.

What’s next?

Add charts to visualize your data:

jx:chart →