Crossword Genius

Month after April pranks discussed in a table of data (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

matrix

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a table of data' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'month after april pranks discussed' is the wordplay.
'month' becomes 'M' (standard abbreviation).
'after april' becomes 'a' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'pranks' becomes 'tricks' ('trick' can be a synonym of 'prank').
'discussed' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'tricks' sounds like 'trix'.
'm'+'a'+'trix'='MATRIX'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for matrix that I've seen before include "Casting mould" , "Rectangular array of mathematical data set out in rows and columns" , "Grid-like array of elements" , "Mathematical arrangement of rows and columns" , "Mould for, eg, record" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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