Cell Reports is an open-access journal from Cell Press that publishes high-quality papers across the entire life sciences spectrum. The primary criterion for publication in Cell Reports, as for all Cell Press journals, is new biological insight. Cell Reports publishes thought-provoking, cutting-edge research, with a focus on a shorter, single-point story, called a Report, in addition to a longer Article format. Cell Reports also publishes Resources, which highlight significant technical advances and/or major informational data sets.

The professional in-house editors of Cell Reports work closely with authors, reviewers, and the journal's scientific editorial board. The editorial board comprises future leaders in their respective fields who guide the journal with regard to its scope, the types of content it publishes, and of course, the quality of the papers it publishes. However, editorial decisions at Cell Reports are made independently by its in-house editors.