External Source Model on Web

Dynamic Planning's ESM (External Source Models) feature in Planful introduces a new and faster way to manage data. ESM enables users to create, manage, and manipulate structured datasets directly within Spotlight Web, providing a more streamlined, intuitive experience. Supporting both numeric and non-numeric data, this feature is ideal for building datasets used in planning, modeling, or analytical scenarios. With ESM enabled, you gain access to advanced functionalities including dynamic dimension support, data validation, smart publishing workflows, and enhanced user interface messages.

Ensure Enable DP 2.0 flag is enabled for your environment. You can contact Planful Support if this feature is not yet available.

Key Benefits:

• Centralized Data Management – Keep critical reference data structured within your planning models.

• Streamlined Planning Models – Reduce reliance on complex cube structures for cleaner, scalable planning.

• Data Integrity – Enforce validations and rules to minimize errors.

• Agility and Control – Make real-time updates without disrupting ongoing planning.

ESM Page Capabilities

The ESM page provides the following capabilities:

• Create ESM: Start the process to build a new ESM.

• Restore ESM: Allows you to recover a previously backed-up ESM

• Search ESM:  Quickly find a specific ESM by typing its name.

• Edit ESM: Open an existing ESM for editing structure and data.

• Duplicate ESM: Creates a copy of the selected ESM.

• More Option (three dots menu): Access advanced actions such as View, Clear, Duplicate ESM, ESM Backup, and Delete.

Create a ESM

1. In Spotlight Web, navigate to Dynamic Planning and select ESM from the left menu.

2. Click Create ESM.

3. Choose one of the following methods to load data:

• Click Browse to upload a file from your local device

• Copy and paste data directly into the ESM.

• Enter data manually, including the key field.

• Download the template to see how to enter data in the  excel/csv file.

4. Upload the required file.

   Note:

   Your can either give your ESM a custom name or allow it to adopt the uploaded file's name automatically.

5. Click on column headers you want to configure.

6. Select Edit Properties to define and set data types and properties.

7. For each column:

   1. Set the Field Name and provide a Description.

   2. Select the appropriate Data Type (Text, Number, Date).

   3. For date and numeric columns, you can apply additional formatting as needed.

8. Once the data is loaded, you can apply formulas, including lookup and range lookup.

9. Click the + icon in the column header to add a new column.

10. Click Publish to publish the table.

11. Or click Save as draft if you want to save your progress and return later.

Notes:

• You can apply multiple transformations, save your progress as a draft, and seamlessly resume from where you left off at any time.

• The complete library of ESM formulas is available. Make sure to clearly explain the purpose and logic behind each formula when using it in shared or collaborative contexts.

ESM Validation Process

Upon publishing, the ESM goes through server-side validation. If errors exist, they will appear in the validation pane.

1. Click on each error to be redirected directly to that row for quick resolution or click on bubble and directly open the error pane.

2. Click Publish.

Notes:

• Only data can be updated once published, not the ESM structure.

• Once the ESM is fully published on the web, it is automatically converted into an External Source Model (ESM) and becomes visible as an ESM model. A corresponding model is also created in Spotlight.

• Once errors are resolved, a message will confirm that there are no more errors.

ESM Actions After Publishing

Edit a ESM

1. Click the ESM you want to edit or use the Edit icon.

2. Make the necessary changes to data or structure (only available for in-progress ESM).

3. To add a new column, click the + icon.

4. Click Publish.

Notes:

Once an ESM is published, it becomes read-only and cannot be edited.

If you duplicate a published ESM, the duplicate opens in editable mode.

Duplicate ESM

1. Click the Duplicate ESM icon on a published ESM.

2. A new editable draft copy is created, retaining the structure and data.

3. Select Duplicate.

Backup a ESM

To create a backup of your published table:

1. Select the ESM you want to take backup.

2. Click ESM Backup from the More Options menu.

3. Choose from:

   • Without Data: Backs up only the schema.

   • All: Includes both structure and data.

4. Confirm the backup action.

Restore ESM

To restore a previously backed-up ESM:

1. Click the Restore ESM icon next to the Create ESM button.

2. Click Browse or drag and drop the backup file.

3. Click Restore to upload and overwrite with the backup file.

Clear ESM

To remove all data from the table:

1. Select the ESM you want to clear.

2. Click Clear ESM from the More Options menu.

3. Click Clear to confirm.

Lock

To prevent further edits to a table:

1. Select the required ESM to lock.

2. Click Lock from the More Options menu.

3. Click Lock to proceed.

Unlock

To allow editing on a locked table:

1. Select the locked ESM.

2. Click Unlock  from the More Options menu.

3. Click Unlock to proceed.