Which kind of report best helps to summarize data over specific time periods in Salesforce?

A summary report is particularly effective for summarizing data over specific time periods in Salesforce because it allows you to group data based on dates and aggregate information by various fields. This capability to categorize data helps visualize trends and patterns over time, enabling better analysis of performance metrics, financial outcomes, or client engagement levels.

In a summary report, you can easily create groupings such as monthly, quarterly, or annual segments, which makes it simple to compare data across these defined time frames. This feature is essential for organizations looking to track changes and analyze performance within specific periods, thus providing valuable insights for decision-making.

Other report types, such as tabular reports, are more suited for straightforward data lists without the needed grouping or aggregation. Matrix reports are beneficial for examining relationships across two different variables, but they are less focused on time-based summaries. Joined reports combine different report types, which may complicate time-based analysis rather than streamline it. Therefore, a summary report stands out as the optimal choice for summarizing data over specific time periods effectively.