How to Add a Block Template Type?

The Block template type allows multiple segments to be displayed within rows. It is used for budgeting against a "repeating block of lines" for a selected dimension member. For example, you can set up a block template for expense or account planning. The Block template can be used against all budget entities created based on CCOA (common chart of accounts) segments as well as attribute-based budget entities.

Complete the following steps to build a Block template.

1. Navigate to Maintenance > Planning Templates > Template Setup.

2. Select the Scenario as Default Scenario. You can create all templates on the Default scenario and then map them to your scenarios of choice.

3. Click the Add button.

4. For Template Type, select Block Template.
   

5. Enter Template Code (enter any code that correlates with your company's current identification practices).

6. Enter Template Name (enter a descriptive and identifiable name).

7. Select the Entity Type for the template. This information is populated from the Entity Types set up in Hierarchy Management.

8. Select the Enable Spreads checkbox if you want to have Spreads in your Block template. Spreads allow users to spread data from a total column to period columns based on the spread method selected. You can read all about Spreads here.

   In the example below a Block Template is defined (the Template Code is Plan by Channel). Spreads are enabled (first image), which is why they are displayed on the template in the Planning Control Panel (second image).
   

   

9. Select Detach all Upon Exit to detach budgeted segments and associated data from the template. You can reattach the budgeted products and segments when required. This action does not delete anything. If you select this checkbox, when a template is opened via the Planning Control Panel, users will be able to select this option. When a template is closed and then reopened, there will be nothing on it. It will not affect what has already been planned, but you will not see it on the template until you add the block.

10. Click the Template Columns tab. The attributes defined here are reflected in the template when you access it from the Planning Control Panel. Add Attribute Columns as necessary. You can define up to 10 attributes. In the example below, 1 attribute column is defined called COGS Rate.

    

11. Click the Segment Members tab. These selections determine how the segment is mapped for the input lines. Only one dimension is loadable to the template as a block (Load Segment) when the template is opened via the Planning Control Panel. The selections available are described below, but for a better understanding, see the images below the descriptions.

    • Budget Control Panel Member - Represents the entity type.

    • Fixed Segment Member - Select this option to have segments with a fixed value for the entire template.

    • All Members - Indicates that the mapping for the respective definition is performed from the Template Input page along with the segment identified as a ‘Load Segment. A Load type segment is also a template segment.

    • Template Design -Indicates that the mapping for the respective definition is performed from the template setup page.

    • For example, notice the Segment Member Mapping when the Block template is created.
      When the template is opened in the Planning Control Panel, the Block Design tab is available and the setup is based on the selections made when the template was created.
      

12. Click Save and click the Back button to return to the Template List page. Or, click More > Template Setup to set up the template structure such as lines, account mapping, formulas, and formatting. Remember, the template is not complete until Template Setup is done.