When Nova returns a list of data, you can now group it by any column to organize and spot patterns faster. Instead of scanning a flat table, grouping turns raw data into something actionable — think meter readings grouped by asset, work orders grouped by priority, or purchase history grouped by vendor.
📋 Overview
Nova tables are a powerful way to explore your CMMS data. With column grouping, you can reorganize any table Nova returns so related rows are clustered together. This makes it easier to identify trends, compare categories, and take action without exporting data or building custom reports.
🔧 Key Capabilities
Group by any column — Select any column in a Nova table to group rows together (e.g., group work orders by status, priority, assignee, or category)
Ask for grouping in your prompt — Include grouping instructions directly in your question to Nova (e.g., "Show me all open work orders grouped by priority")
Pick a column from the table — After Nova returns a table, select a column header to group the data on the fly
Works with any data type — Group work orders, assets, parts, meter readings, purchase orders, and more
📝 Step-by-Step: Grouping a Table
Option 1: Ask Nova to Group in Your Prompt
Open the Nova chat window from any page in UpKeep
Ask a data question and include how you want it grouped — for example: "Show me all work orders from this month grouped by category"
Nova returns the table with rows already organized by your chosen grouping
Review each group to spot patterns and take action
Option 2: Group After the Table Loads
Ask Nova any question that returns a table of data (e.g., "List all open work orders")
Once the table appears, you can select a grouping column
The table reorganizes instantly, clustering rows by the values in that column
Switch grouping columns to explore different breakdowns
🎯 Use Cases
Goal | Prompt | Why It Helps |
Prioritize workload | Show me all open work orders grouped by priority | Quickly see how many critical vs. low-priority tasks are pending |
Track assets by location | List all assets grouped by location | Understand equipment distribution across facilities |
Review meter readings | Show me meter readings from this week grouped by asset | Spot anomalies or trends per piece of equipment |
Analyze spending | List parts purchased this quarter grouped by vendor | Compare vendor costs and consolidate purchasing |
Balance technician load | Show all in-progress work orders grouped by assigned technician | Ensure no one is overloaded and redistribute tasks |
💡 Best Practices
Be specific in your prompt — Tell Nova both what data you want and how to group it for the most useful results on the first try
Try different groupings — The same dataset grouped by priority vs. grouped by location can reveal very different insights
Combine with filters — Ask Nova to filter and group (e.g., "Show me overdue work orders grouped by category") for focused analysis
Use grouping for reports — Grouped tables can be exported as PDFs via Nova for easy sharing with leadership
Pair with visualizations — After grouping, ask Nova to create a chart from the same data for a visual summary
❓ FAQ
Can I group by more than one column at a time?
Currently, grouping works on one column at a time. You can switch between columns to explore different breakdowns.
Does grouping work with all types of data Nova returns?
Yes. Any table Nova returns — work orders, assets, parts, meter readings, purchase orders, and more — supports column grouping.
Can I save a grouped table view?
Grouped views are part of your Nova chat session. To share or save them, ask Nova to export the table as a PDF.
Do I need a specific plan to use table grouping?
Table grouping is available to all users with access to UpKeep Nova.