Automated placement of fields in a data summary table

A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

• allowing selection of a field from a plurality of fields;
• analyzing the selected field using semantics;
• identifying a type of the field;
• comparing a caption of the field to a list of strings to identify the type of the field;
• comparing items of the field to minimum or maximum values to verify the type of the field;
• selecting an area of a data summary table to place the field;
• selecting a row of the data summary table if the field is of a non-numeric type;
• selecting a column the data summary table if the field is of a date type;
• summarizing the field if the field is of a numeric type and not the date type;
• and
• adding the field to the area of the data summary table.

A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, provide a graphical user interface for creating a data summary table, the user interface comprising:

• a pane including a plurality of fields;
• and
• a data summary table;
• wherein, upon selection of a field to include in the data summary table, the user interface is programmed to analyze the field and automatically place the field in the data summary table, wherein the user interface is programmed to compare a caption of the field to a list of strings to identify a type of the field, and wherein the user interface is programmed to compare items of the field to minimum or maximum values to verify the type of the field.