Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dynamic Planning?

Dynamic Planning allows users to perform advanced Dynamic Planning on large volumes of data by creating what-if scenarios and adding members and calculations on the fly in their own environment. Offering Microsoft Excel, web, and mobile user interfaces, Dynamic Planning allows users to quickly perform real-time interactive data exploration with self-service query and analysis capabilities. After analysis and collaboration, the model can then be incorporated into the overall corporate model empowering Finance and Operations users.

• Interactive Query and Analysis — Perform multidimensional analysis with speed-of thought response time. Zoom in or out, pivot data, keep or remove members, refresh the data from Dynamic Planning, and write data back to the model.

• Advanced Dynamic Planning — Financial and operational business users can take their ‘slice’ of corporate data and add dimensions, members, and calculations on the fly. Users can incorporate financial or non-financial drivers into the models and update the corporate model when they decide.

• Excel Reporting — Harness the full power of Excel for information presentation while ensuring “one version of the truth” from a centralized, secure data store.

What is SpotlightXL?

SpotlightXL is the Microsoft Excel Add-In for Dynamic Planning.

What is Spotlight?

Spotlight is the web user interface for Dynamic Planning.

Does SpotlightXL replace the Excel Add-In?

No. SpotlightXL is a part of Dynamic Planning. Dynamic Planning is a separate product that is licensed.

What data can be used with Dynamic Planning?

Dynamic Planning will use data from the Finance Cube. Additionally, data can be loaded from an Excel flat file.

What browsers does Spotlight support?

See: Client Requirements

What versions of Excel does SpotlightXL support?

See: Client Requirements

Can I write back data to the Planful Structured Planning, Consolidation, and Reporting applications from Dynamic Planning?

Data, yes. Metadata write-back to the Structured Planning, Consolidation, and Reporting Applications may be supported in a future release.