We consider a general class of Fourier coefficients for an automorphic form on a finite cover of a reductive adelic group ${bf G}(mathbb{A}_{mathbb{K}})$, associated to the data of a `Whittaker pair. We describe a quasi-order on Fourier coefficients, and an algorithm that gives an explicit formula for any coefficient in terms of integrals and sums involving higher coefficients. The maximal elements for the quasi-order are `Levi-distinguished Fourier coefficients, which correspond to taking the constant term along the unipotent radical of a parabolic subgroup, and then further taking a Fourier coefficient with respect to a $mathbb{K}$-distinguished nilpotent orbit in the Levi quotient. Thus one can express any Fourier coefficient, including the form itself, in terms of higher Levi-distinguished coefficients. In follow-up papers we use this result to determine explicit Fourier expansions of minimal and next-to-minimal automorphic forms on split simply-laced reductive groups, and to obtain Euler product decompositions of their top Fourier coefficients.
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