1. A computer-implemented method for analyzing data using analytic database functions, the method comprising: displaying a layout having a plurality of cells on a display device using a graphical user interface configured to enable users to manipulate arrangement of the plurality of cells within the graphical user interface, the layout specifying relationships between each cell in the plurality of cells and data in a database; receiving first user input at a computer system, the first user input indicative of a selection made by a user on the layout via the graphical user interface of one or more measured items in cells associated with the layout; receiving second user input at the computer system, the second user input indicative of a selection made by a user on the layout via the graphical user interface of a placement item in a cell associated with the layout; determining with the computer system a partitioning associated with an analytic database function of the one or more measured items selected by the user on the layout based on the placement item selected by the user on the layout; formatting with the computer system the analytic database function associated with a cell in the plurality of cells of the layout displayed on the display device based on the determined partitioning of the one or more measured items, the analytic database function formatted by the computer system to include the determined partitioning of the one or more measured items, one or more functions to be performed on the one or more measured items, and location of the cell within the layout to contain a resulting item for the one or more functions; displaying the resulting item in the cell of the layout displayed on the display device; defining at least one partitioning of the one or more measured items relative to the placement item; a rule that enables the computer system to select the at least one partitioning for use when formatting the analytic database function; a set of aggregation levels for the analytic database function; and receiving a third user input at the computer system, the third user input indicative of a selection made by the user on the layout displayed on the display device of one of the set of aggregation levels.