How to Customize Views & Reports in Odoo 18 Studio: Complete Step by Step Guide
By Braincuber Team
Published on March 20, 2026
Effective business management requires adaptable software. Odoo 18 offers a customizable, user-friendly platform that simplifies application development without the need for complex backend work. The Studio module in the Enterprise edition enables low-code creation and customization of apps through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. This complete tutorial will guide you through customizing views and reports in Odoo 18 Studio.
What You'll Learn:
- Understanding Odoo 18 Studio module capabilities
- Customizing General Views (Form, Search, Activity)
- Configuring Multiple Records Views (Kanban, List, Map)
- Setting up Timeline Views (Calendar, Gantt, Cohort)
- Creating Analytical Views (Pivot, Graph)
- Designing and managing custom reports
Understanding Odoo 18 Studio Module
Odoo 18 Studio is a powerful low-code development tool that enables users to create and customize applications without extensive programming knowledge. Within Studio, the "Views" and "Reports" menus enable users to personalize elements such as Form Views, List Views, Kanban, and Calendar Views. These features help streamline operations, enhance data visibility, and empower teams to build tailored solutions that support efficient business processes.
Step 1: Accessing Studio Views Menu
In Odoo 18, the Studio Module offers a Views menu that allows users to design and customize various view types, enhancing both the usability and appearance of applications. This includes General Views, Multi-record Views, Timeline Views, and Analytical Reporting Views.
Open Studio Module
Navigate to the Studio module in your Odoo 18 Enterprise edition to access the customization interface.
Access Views Menu
Click on the "Views" menu in the Studio interface to view all available view customization options.
Set Default View
Users can set a specific view as the default for a model by clicking the three-dot menu on the desired view and selecting "Set as Default".
Studio Access Requirement
Odoo Studio is available only in the Enterprise edition and requires administrative access to the database for full customization capabilities.
Step 2: Customizing General Views and Form View
In Odoo 18, the Form, Search, and Activity views fall under the category of General Views in the Studio module. Among these, the Form View plays a central role, as it allows detailed customization of how data is entered, displayed, and managed within an application.
Form Title and Buttons
Personalize the form's title, buttons, and layout to align with specific business workflows using the customization panel.
Add Fields and Components
Use the left panel tools for adding fields, components, and design elements to enhance the form functionality.
Status Buttons
Modify status buttons like NEW, IN PROGRESS, and DONE on the right side to reflect your workflow stages.
Action Buttons
Add action buttons like Delete, Archive, Unarchive, or Mark by clicking the "+" icon in the top-right corner when hovering.
Visual Elements
Include visual elements like Images or enable Kanban State near the Description field for better data presentation.
Tabbed Sections
Insert tabbed sections by clicking the "+" icon next to existing tabs like Details for better data organization and user-friendly form layout.
Step 3: Configuring Search and Activity Views
The Search View in the Studio module offers flexible filtering tools that enable users to efficiently organize and retrieve records. The Activity View allows users to manage and track scheduled actions through the Chatter feature.
Search View Filters
Add and position filtering tools to suit your application structure, allowing custom search experiences with Filters and Group By functions.
Auto Completion Fields
Configure which fields should automatically populate when specific values are entered in the form for streamlined data entry.
Activity View Management
Use the "+ Schedule Activity" button to create reminders for emails, phone calls, meetings, and to-do items for effective collaboration.
| Search View Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Editable Links | Each filter includes editable links for quick modifications to labels, domains, or conditions |
| Left Panel Editor | Easy adjustments for editing or removing filters as required |
| Auto Completion | Determine which fields auto-populate for specific form values |
Step 4: Customizing Multiple Records Views
Multiple Records Views include Kanban, List, and Map views that allow users to manage and visualize multiple records simultaneously. Each view offers unique customization options for different business needs.
Kanban View Customization
Create multiple Kanban views from the "Multiple Record Views" section and tailor each view by selecting templates and adjusting fields.
List View Management
Manage key operational fields like Priority and Contact, with options to edit, hide, modify, or remove them according to requirements.
Map View Configuration
Customize Map view with options like "Hide Name" and "Hide Address" settings, and enable "Enable Routing" for location assistance.
User Restrictions: Can Create, Can Edit, Can Delete
Quick Data Entry: Editable settings (top/bottom)
Bulk Operations: Sort By field for bulk edits
Default Sorting: Change default sorting order
Record Management: Add new records efficiently
Map View Features
Activate "Enable Routing" for route planning assistance and add additional fields to enrich the view based on specific business requirements.
Step 5: Setting Up Timeline Views
Within the "Timeline views" section, you have the ability to configure Calendar, Cohort, and Gantt views. These views provide different ways to visualize time-based data and project progress.
Calendar View Configuration
Adjust Start Date and Stop Date fields, along with advanced options like Delay Field, Color coding, All Day events, and Default Display mode.
Quick Create Feature
Enable Quick Create option to add new records directly without navigating to the Form view, limited to models that can be created using just a name.
Color Coding and Display
Select a field under the "Color" option to categorize and visually distinguish calendar events, and define the default calendar view (Day, Week, Month, Year).
Gantt View Features
Visualize record progress over time with options like Display Unavailability, Display Total Row, Collapse First Level, and time precision settings.
Cohort View Settings
Adjust Start Date and Stop Date fields, and fine-tune Timeline, Interval, Mode, and Measure Field for enhanced data visualization.
Record Restrictions: Can Create, Can Edit settings
Visual Options: Display Unavailability, Display Complete Row
Organization: Collapse First Level, Default Scale
Grouping: Automatic record grouping
Visual Enhancement: Color coding by specific field
Step 6: Creating Analytical Views
Analytical Views including Pivot and Graph views provide powerful data visualization and analysis capabilities. These views help transform raw data into meaningful insights through charts and pivot tables.
Pivot View Configuration
Enable "Access records from cell" to navigate directly to data records, and configure Column grouping, Row grouping, Measures, and Display count.
Graph View Customization
Display data using bar, line, or pie charts with customization options for graph types, sorting methods, and dimension selections.
Chart Type Selection
Choose between Bar, Line, or Pie charts, set default categories for dimensions, and select data types in the Measure field.
| Graph View Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Chart Types | Bar, Line, or Pie charts for different data visualization needs |
| Dimensions | First and Second dimension categories for data organization |
| Measure Field | Default data type selection for measurement and display |
| Advanced Options | Access Records from Cell, Stacked Graph for enhanced visualization |
Data Access Features
Enable "Access Records from Cell" to download data directly from graphical report views and activate "Stacked Graph" for stacked data visualization.
Step 7: Creating Custom Reports
Within the Odoo platform's "Reports" menu, users can utilize filtering and grouping tools to design and manage customized reports easily. This section provides built-in features that simplify the configuration of reporting windows.
Access Reports Menu
Go to the "Reports" menu inside the Studio Module to access reporting capabilities and filtering tools.
Select Application Model
In the filter search area, locate and select the application model for which you want to create a report.
Create New Report
Click the "New" button to start setting up a new Reporting section and choose between External, Internal, or Blank report types.
Report Configuration
Customize report title, choose paper format, apply visibility restrictions, and enable PRINT PREVIEW for direct printing.
Template Design
Build templates by adding tools like Text, Field, Title Block, Image, Address Block, Data Table, and various column layouts.
Text Blocks: Add descriptive text content
Field Blocks: Insert dynamic data fields
Title Blocks: Create section headers
Image Blocks: Add logos and images
Address Blocks: Format address information
Data Tables: Create structured data displays
Column Layouts: 2 or 3 column formatting options
Report Export Options
Reports can be printed directly, exported as PDF files, and reviewed with PRINT PREVIEW for convenient data handling and sharing.
Step 8: Advanced Studio Customization Tips
Odoo Studio provides powerful and flexible tools that enable users to easily customize, preview, and manage reports, enhancing business workflows and simplifying data sharing. Consider these advanced customization strategies:
User Group Restrictions
Enable "Limit Visibility to Groups" setting to restrict access to specific user groups for better security and control.
Template Component Library
Build templates by typing '/' in the dropdown menu to access a comprehensive library of components and tools.
Data Table Components
Define tables with Data Table, Field Column, Text in Cell, Field in Cell, Subtotal, and Total components for structured reporting.
Layout Organization
Use "Column" types to create two or three-column formats for better organization and visual appeal of your reports.
Best Practices
Always ensure records exist in your application database before attempting to modify report details. Use the PRINT button to review and confirm report details, and make adjustments within the Print Preview as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Odoo Studio available in the Community edition?
No, Odoo Studio is exclusively available in the Enterprise edition. It requires a valid Enterprise license and administrative access to the database for full customization capabilities.
Can I create custom views without programming knowledge?
Yes, Odoo Studio is designed as a low-code platform that allows users to create and customize views through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface without requiring extensive programming knowledge.
How do I set a default view for a model?
Open the Views menu in Studio, click the three-dot menu on the desired view, and select "Set as Default" to apply it as the primary display for that application model.
What types of reports can I create in Studio?
You can create External, Internal, or Blank reports. Each type offers different customization options for paper format, visibility restrictions, and template design with various components.
Can I export Studio customizations to other databases?
Yes, Studio customizations can be exported as modules and imported into other Odoo databases, making it easy to replicate custom applications across different environments.
Need Help with Odoo 18 Studio Customization?
Our experts can help you design and implement custom views and reports using Odoo Studio for your specific business needs.