What does a crosstab query typically do?

A crosstab query is specifically designed to aggregate data into a matrix format, which allows for easy comparison and analysis of relationships between different data categories. This type of query summarizes data by one or more variables, displaying it in a grid or table format where the row headers often represent one dimension of the data being analyzed and the column headers represent another.

This matrix format facilitates understanding complex datasets by providing a clear visual representation of how different categories interact, which is particularly useful for identifying trends and patterns in the data. For example, a crosstab query might show sales figures segmented by product type across different regions, allowing users to quickly assess performances and make informed decisions based on the visual output.

The other options do not accurately represent the primary function of a crosstab query. Transforming columns of data to rows relates more to transposition functions in databases, generating random data entries does not relate to data aggregation or analysis, and extracting data from a single table describes a basic query without the cross-analysis aspect that a crosstab provides.