- Getting Started
- Structured Planning
- Structured Planning Configuration Tasks
- Using Planning Control Panel
- Understanding Template Input and View Modes
- Working with Data Discrepancies in Templates
- Explanation of Line Types in Templates
- Understanding Workflow Actions
- Using Dynamic Commentary in Planning Templates
- Working with Reports in Structured Planning
- Working with Snapshots in Planning Control Panel
- How-Tos
- Workforce Planning
- Initiative Planning
- Capital Planning
- MyPlan Guides
- MyPlan User Guide
- Accessing MyPlan
- Dissecting the MyPlan Interface
- Retained In-Memory Actions
- How Actions Are Calculated
- Adjusting, Updating, Adding, and Editing Accounts in MyPlan
- How to Add New Headcount
- How to Edit a Headcount
- How to Add Multiple Employees at Once
- How to Edit Multiple New Hires at Once
- How to Add a Headcount Based on an Existing Headcount and Edit Details
- How to Add an Asset
- How to Delete a Headcount
- How to Add an Asset Not Yet Budgeted
- How to Add An Asset for a Budget Entity When the Asset Definition Does Not Exist
- How to Edit an Asset
- How to Update an Account
- Working with Templates in MyPlan
- Activity Manager
- How to Submit a Budget/Forecast
- Template Locking
- Limitations
- MyPlan User Options
- Benefits of MyPlan
- MyPlan User Guide
- Dynamic Planning
- Dynamic Planning Overview
- Dynamic Planning User Security
- Using Aggregation Process
- SpotlightXL - Download & Installation
- SpotlightXL
- Using SpotlightXL-Analyze
- Using SpotlightXL-Report
- Cascade Reporting in SpotlightXL
- Excel Reporting in SpotlightXL
- Office Reporting in SpotlightXL
- Using SpotlightXL-Model
- Using SpotlightXL-Model Setup Subtask
- Using SpotlightXL-Model Dimensions Subtask
- How to Define a Dimension Members for a Model?
- How to Add a Dimension Member to a Generated Model?
- How to Delete a Dimension Member from a Generated and Locked Model?
- How to Lock Dimension Members
- How to Setup Data Locking?
- How to Turn Data Locking On or Off?
- How to Define Multiple Number Formats for Dimension Members in Views?
- Using SpotlightXL-Model Attributes Subtask
- Using SpotlightXL-Model Maps Subtask
- Using SpotlightXL-Model Scopes Subtask
- Using SpotlightXL-Model Formulas Subtask
- Using SpotlightXL-Model Calculation Subtask
- Using SpotlightXL-Model Data Subtask
- Using SpotlightXL-Model Import and Export Data Subtask
- Using SpotlightXL-Model Administration Subtask
- Using SpotlightXL- External Source Model Subtask
- External Source Model Process
- View Formulas in External Source Model
- External Source Model Field Types, Expressions, and Formulas
- Loading Data to External Source Models
- Support for Variables and Expressions in External Source Models
- Source Map
- Source Model
- Transferring Data from One External Source Model to Another External Source Model
- Using Filter Field Section
- Using Aggregate Functions in Maps
- Configuring Maps using Aggregate Functions - Use Cases
- Multiple External Source Model - Use Case
- Managing Access to ESMs
- Using External Source Model Functions
- Text Functions
- Numeric Functions
- Date Functions
- Logical Functions
- Step-by-Step Use Case for Forecasting Revenue Spread Over Time
- Using ESM Canvas
- ESM Formatting in SpotlightXL
- Predict Signals in DAP (Direct Access) Reports
- Using Model Design
- How-Tos
- Using SpotlightXL-Manage Task
- SpotlightXL Manage User Management Subtask
- Using Group Management
- Using Navigation Access
- Using Application Administration
- Using Metadata Download
- Using Application Settings
- Defining Default Behavior for View and Report Properties
- Defining Default Tab Color for Views and Reports
- How to Provide Calculation Access to Contributor Users?
- Running Calculations in the Background for Views and Reports
- Calculations Execution Delayed and Batched for Better Performance
- Application-Level Data Locking for Views
- Application-Level Data Locking for Reports
- Hiding Empty Folders for Views and Reports
- Indenting Dimension Members
- Using Application Statistics
- Using Audit Log
- Using Process Management
- Using Schedule Management
- Using Model Permissions
- Using Request Status
- Using Model Backup/Restore
- SpotlightXL Manage Office Reports Subtask
- Using Token Management
- Dynamic Planning How to Load an External Data Source into a Master Model (Legacy)
- Spotlight Web
- Analyze
- Report
- Model
- How to Enable the Model Menu in Planful Applications?
- How to Create a Model in the Spotlight Web?
- How to Create a Model by Copying an Existing Model in Spotlight Web?
- How to Create an External Source Model?
- Contributor and Reviewer Access in Model Manager
- Exploring the Model Interface
- Exploring More Menu Model Options
- How to Restore a Model in the Spotlight Web?
- How to Schedule a Calculation Scheduler in Spotlight Web?
- Model Artifacts Browser
- Running and Filtering Reports
- Running and Filtering Views
- Using the Dimension Browser for Hierarchy Management
- Using the Dimension Attribute Browser
- Running and Filtering Calculations
- Filtering Formulas
- Filtering Scopes
- Creating, Editing, and Filtering Maps
- Creating, Editing, and Filtering External Source Model Fields
- Creating, Editing, and Filtering External Source Model Formulas
- Filtering External Source Model Maps
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Spotlight for Google Sheets
- Using Write Back
- Direct Access to PCR Model
- Creating a Direct Access Model to PCR Model
- Metadata Dimension Security for the Scenario Dimension
- Support for PCR Attributes, Attribute Hierarchies, and Alternate Hierarchies
- Support for PCR Substitution Variables and Derived Variables
- Reporting and Analysis Primer
- Multiple POV Selections in SpotlightXL and Spotlight for Direct Connect Models
- Support for PCR Cube Default Members for System-Defined Dimensions in New Views, Formatted Reports, and Excel Reports
- Support for Drill Through in Direct Connect Models in Both SpotlightXL and Spotlight
- Information for Experienced Power and Contributor Users
- Converting a Master Model into a Direct Access to PCR Model
- Using Currency Exchange Rates in Dynamic Planning
- Using Breakback
- Dynamic Planning API Library
- Base URL
- List of Dynamic Planning SOAP APIs
- Append Attributes (Master and Analytic Models)
- Parameters
- Sample Payload for Creating or Appending Attributes With Display Labels (Without Specifying the Member-Attribute Mapping)
- Sample Payload for Updating the Member-Attribute Mapping for Previously Saved Attributes
- Sample Payload for Creating or Appending Attributes (Without Display Labels, Without Specifying the Member-Attribute Mapping)
- Sample Payload for Creating or Appending Attributes and Specifying the Member-Attribute Mapping
- Response
- Append Dimension Members (Master and Analytic Models)
- Calculation Run (Master and Analytic Models)
- Calculation Status (Master and Analytic Models)
- Clear Data (Master and Analytic Models)
- Clear Leaf Data (Master and Analytic Models)
- Export Dimension / Attribute Hierarchy (Master and Analytic Models)
- Export Leaf-Level Data (Scoped) (Master and Analytic Models)
- Load Data (Master and Analytic Models)
- Clear Data (External Source Models)
- Clear Dimension Members (Metadata) (External Source Models)
- Export Leaf-Level Data (Scoped) (External Source Models)
- Load Data (External Source Models)
- Load Dimension Members (Metadata) (External Source Models)
- Create Users and Groups (User Management)
- List Users and Groups (User Management)
- Dynamic Planning: Group Access API
- How-Tos
- How to Open a Second Instance of SpotlightXL
- How to Use Variables in SpotlightXL Views and Reports
- How to Cascade a Report in SpotlightXL
- How to Backup and Restore a Model in SpotlightXL
- How to Find Data Cells Quickly in SpotlightXL
- How to Lock Dimension Members in SpotlightXL
- How to Work with Folders in SpotlightXL
- How to Add a Chart to a Report in SpotlightXL
- How to Add a Leaf Level Member to a Hierarchy in SpotlightXL
- How to Add or Delete Dimensions from a Model in SpotlightXL
- How to Create a Report from a View in SpotlightXL
- How to Create a View and Specify Properties in SpotlightXL
- How to Create and Load External Source Models
- How to Create Dimensions as Attributes in SpotlightXL
- How to Define Dimension Security
- How to Define Multiple Number Formats for Dimension Members in SpotlightXL View
- How to Download Data from Structured Planning into a Dynamic Planning Model
- How to Filter Members Using Design Manager in SpotlightXL
- How to Lock a Model to Prevent Modification or Clearing In SpotlightXL and Web
- How to Lock and Unlock Scaling in SpotlightXL
- How to Lock Members in a View or Report to Prevent Modification in SpotlightXL
- How to Perform Multi-Tab Analysis in SpotlightXL
- How to Restore a Model in SpotlightXL
- How to Save Data on Attributes for Views and Reports in SpotlightXL
- How to Select Data and Member Design Manager Options to Populate Report Values
- How to Share a POV Dimension Across Models in a Report
- How to Specify Match Criteria in SpotlightXL
- How to Use Change Data Tracking
- How to Use Excel Formulas in SpotlightXL
- How to Use the Metadata Viewer in SpotlightXL
- How to Update a Dimension Hierarchy Without Clearing a Model
- How to Configure the Number of Invalid Login Attempts
- How to Create a Report Based on an Existing Report in SpotlightXL
- How to Create a Report Based Off Multiple Models in SpotlightXL
- How to Log Into Spotlight for Office
- How to Create Report Collections in Dynamic Planning
- How to Use ClickOnce Installer for Automatic Upgrades
- How to Schedule a Calculation in SpotlightXL
- Consolidation
- Consolidation Process Prerequisites
- Consolidation Control Panel Overview
- Consolidation Administration Overview
- Processes Overview
- Using Consolidation Process
- Using Standard Journals
- Using Recurring Journals
- Using Dynamic Journals
- How to Add a Dynamic Journal?
- How to Upload Dynamic Journals?
- How to Copy a Dynamic Journal?
- How to Edit a Dynamic Journal?
- How to Delete a Dynamic Journal?
- How to Post a Dynamic Journal?
- How to Clear Dynamic Journal Data?
- How to View Dynamic Journals at the Rollup Level?
- Setting Up Rules in Journals
- Processing Dynamic Journals and Non Controlling Interest Outside of the Consolidation Process
- Using Non Controlling Interest
- Using Reclassifications
- Using Eliminations
- Using Validations
- Using Actual Data Load
- Entry Actions Overview
- Using Reports in Consolidation
- How-tos?
- How to Configure Retained Earnings Roll Forward?
- How to Setup for Enhanced Retained Earnings Roll Forward?
- How to Close with Consolidation?
- How to Process Consolidation With Configurable Steps?
- How to Unlock Multiple Periods in Consolidation Process?
- How to Lock Multiple Periods in Consolidation Process?
- How to Provide Security for Centralized Consolidation Users?
- How to Provide Security for Decentralized Consolidation Users?
- How to Disable Display of Security Option from the Consolidation Control Panel?
- How to Process Consolidation and Include or Exclude Dynamic Journals and Non Controlling Interest?
- Reports
- Reports Overview
- Reports Configuration Tasks
- Using Reports Home Page
- Report Administration Limitations
- Using Report Folders
- Using Report Documents
- Understanding Report Sets
- Working with Report Collection
- How to Set Up a Report Collection?
- Setting Up the General Information in Report Collection
- Using the Reports Tab in Report Collection
- Using the Setting Tab in Report Collection
- Using the Distribution Tab in Report Collection
- Report Collection Best Practices
- Report Collection Limitations
- How to Download a Report from the Report Collection?
- Distributing a Report Collection
- How to Use Substitution Variables in Report Collection?
- Report Collection Status Information
- Working with Financial Package
- How to Set Up a Financial Package?
- Using Top Menu Options in the Financial Package
- Using Left Pane Options in the Financial Package
- Using Center Pane Options in the Financial Package
- Using the Status Bar in the Financial Package
- Understanding Financial Package Security and User Types
- How to Build and Run a Financial Package Report?
- Working with Different File Types in Financial Package
- Working with PowerPoint Files in Financial Package
- Working with Excel Files in Financial Package
- Financial Package Best Practices
- Understanding Dynamic Reports
- How to Set Up a Dynamic Report?
- Setting Up Header & Footer in Dynamic Reports
- Setting Up Page, Row, & Column in Dynamic Reports
- Setting up Dimension Members in Dynamic Reports
- Using Dimension Member Pick List in Dynamic Reports
- Locking Dimension Members in Dynamic Reports
- Integrating Dynamic Reports with Financial Package Publisher
- Working with Dynamic Reports
- Formatting a Report at Cell Level
- Using Formulas in a Report
- Using Grid Actions in Dynamic Reports
- Using Other Setting in Dynamic Reports
- Using Drill Through in Dynamic Reports
- How to Set Up Substitution Variables in Dynamic Reports?
- Using Quick Functions in Dynamic Reports
- Making an Attribute Available for Dynamic Reporting
- How to Build and Run a Dynamic Report?
- Example of Building a Dynamic Report
- Enhanced Drill Through in Dynamic Reports
- Drilling Through to Translations and Transactions
- Drilling Through to Planning and Capital Template Data
- How to Drill Through to Template Data?
- Drilling Through Reporting on Preloaded and Forecast Scenarios
- Drilling Through Reporting on Closed Period
- Drilling Through Reporting on WFP Data
- Drilling Through Reporting on GL Data
- Drilling Through Reporting on Consolidation Data
- Viewing Code, Name, or Label in Dynamic Report Drill Through
- Understanding Shared Mode Data in Drill Through
- Viewing Operational Planning Notes in Drill Through Report
- Using Save and Reset Settings in Drill Through Report
- Disabling Drill-Through Functionality
- Understanding Drill Down and Drill Through in Dynamic Reports
- Viewing Template Notes in Dynamic Reports
- Dynamic Commentary in Reports
- Displaying Currency in Dynamic Reports
- Understanding Automatic Data Refresh
- Printing Dynamic Reports
- Exporting Dynamic Reports Output in Unprotected View
- Viewing History from Reports
- Dynamic Reports Use Case
- Dynamic Reports - How Tos
- Dynamic Reports Best Practices
- Reporting Cube Configuration Limitations
- Workforce Reporting
- Dashboards
- Dashboards User Guide
- Using Dashboards
- Dashboard Designer
- How to Add Dimensions to Each Chart Axis?
- Using Substitution Variables for Chart Titles, SubTitles, and Axis Name
- How to Share a Dashboard?
- How to Upload a Thumbnail?
- How to Define Custom Members on a Chart?
- How to Use a Stacked Column Chart in Combination Charts?
- Dashboard is Supported on iOS Mobile Devices
- Changing the Chart Type
- Adding Tables and Text to a Dashboard
- How to Apply a Percentage Calculation for a Dimension or Dimension Combination?
- How to Alter Default Chart Settings?
- Using Consider Absolute Value Denominator Option for KPI Chart
- Using Dynamic Planning Data in a Dashboard
- Using Dynamic Report Chart in Dashboards
- Using Filters in Dashboards
- Customizing Color Schemes in Dashboard Charts
- How to Build a Workforce Dashboard?
- How To Set Dashboards As Your Homepage?
- Viewing History from Dashboards
- Dashboards Administration Guide
- How to Provide Users with Navigation Access to Dashboards?
- Working with Dashboards Reporting Area
- Understanding Dashboards Dimension Security
- How to Apply Scenario Security in Dashboards?
- How to Copy Budget Entity Security to Report Security?
- Using Substitution Variables in Dashboards
- Pre-Defined Custom Members/Formulas in Dashboards
- Sharing Dashboards
- Differentiating Edit Versus View Access to Dashboards
- Differentiating Dashboards Versus Dynamic Reports
- Validating Dashboard Updates
- Recommended Dashboards Screen Resolution
- Auditing Dashboards
- Best Practices for Dashboards Administration
- Dashboards User Guide
- Planful AI Assistant
- Predict
- Budget Manager Experience
- Maintenance
- Administration
- Managing User & Roles
- Configuring Security Options
- Setting Up Add-In Security
- Setting Up Approval Roles
- Setting Up Consolidation Security from User & Role Management
- Setting Up Data Integration Security
- Setting Up Dimension Security
- Managing Reports Access
- Assigning Scenario Access to a User
- Providing Workforce Reporting Access
- Securing Reports and Data
- Configuring Offline Planning
- User Access/Security Overview
- How-Tos
- Configuring Security Options
- Scenario Setup Overview
- Add Scenario
- How Tos
- How to Delete a Scenario?
- How to Delete a Template from a Locked Scenario?
- How to Copy a Scenario?
- How to Forward a Scenario?
- How to Lock/Unlock a Scenario?
- How to Refresh Closed Period Data?
- How to Refresh Preloaded Data?
- How to Reset a Scenario?
- How to Perform Scenario Maintenance?
- How to Manage User Scenario Access?
- How to Upload a Document to a Scenario?
- How to Export the Seeding Exception Report for a Plan Scenario?
- How to Print the Scenario List?
- How to Update the Scenario Print Settings?
- How to Export the Scenario List in Excel Format?
- Scenario Locking for Shared Mode Enabled Applications
- Inputting Global Field Values
- Securing Scenarios
- Understanding Security Administration
- Configuration Tasks Overview
- General Financial Configuration
- Configuring Ivy
- Define Capital Budgeting Criteria
- Define Workforce Planning Budgeting Criteria
- Data Integration Configuration
- Define Login Restrictions
- MyPlan Account Mapping
- Define Reporting Areas
- Configuring Consolidation
- Workflow Configuration
- Configuring Planful Predict
- Configuring Workdays Setup
- Cloud Scheduler Overview
- Understanding Job Manager
- Understanding Process Flow
- Understanding Job Manager
- Using Customize Branding
- MyPlan Configuration
- Comments Manager Overview
- What is the difference between Structured Planning and Dynamic Planning?
- Managing User & Roles
- Multi-Currency
- Hierarchy Management Overview
- Hierarchy Management Interface Overview
- Creating and Managing Additional Finance Hierarchies
- Adding Report Categories
- Setting Up Attributes for Attribute Hierarchies
- Understanding Best Practices - Finance Hierarchies
- Understanding Reporting Members and Calculated Members
- Setting Up an Attribute Hierarchy
- Configuring OLAP Cube
- Understanding Example of How to Use Attributes
- Adding Another Level to Your Attribute Hierarchy
- Reflecting New Attribute Levels in Reports
- Setting Up An Attribute Used in Reporting and Enabling Drill Down to Dimension Member
- Mapping and Unmapping Workforce Planning Default Measures for Reporting Purposes
- Understanding Best Practices - Attribute Hierarchies
- Setting Up an Alternate Hierarchy
- Setting Up a Dated Hierarchy
- Entity Hierarchy Overview
- Sibling Hierarchies - Multiple Set of Books Overview
- Versioned Hierarchy Management in Dynamic Planning
- Exploring Additional Hierarchy Topics
- How-Tos
- Exploring the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Hierarchies
- Planning Templates Overview
- Using Global Fields
- Adding Attributes
- Line Item Category Overview
- Template Setup Overview
- Template List Overview
- Adding Template Overview
- Designing Templates
- Understanding Mapping Options on the Template List Page
- Setting Up Spreads
- Planning Template Design Best Practices
- How-Tos
- Template List Overview
- Workforce Overview
- Workforce Planning Setup Overview
- Employees Overview
- How-Tos
- Adding a Profile Picture to Employee Profile
- Managing Employee Information Using the Reports Option
- Applying Mass Updates to Employees
- Using Customize Roster to Add Compensation Items
- Changing Budget Raise Percentage
- Employee Positions Outside of the Current Budget Cycle
- Automated Employee Processing
- Performance Statistics of Employee Page or Employees Tab
- Calculating Budget Review Date and Current Review Date
- Pop-up Message Introduced across all the windows in Workforce Planning Setup
- Copying the Employees from One Scenario to Another
- Exploring Use Cases on How to Update Several Employees at Once
- Creating a Duplicate Employee
- How-Tos
- Compensation Groups Overview
- Compensation Items Overview
- Compensation Basis Overview
- Understanding of Wages
- Understanding of Wages with Annual Cap
- Understanding Fixed Amount
- Understanding Fixed Amount per FTE
- Understanding Fixed Amount based on Employee Attribute
- Understanding Tiers on Employee Attribute - Value in Wages
- Understanding Profit Sharing Setup Example with Multiple Caps And Different Percentages
- Understanding Marginal Benefit Calculation Setup Examples
- Understanding Situations When You Can't Edit a Compensation Item
- Understanding Pre-built Calculation Basis
- Understanding the Link to Global Fields Option
- How-Tos
- How to View the Compensation Items in a Workforce Planning Budget Report?
- How to Set Up 401K Match?
- How to Copy all Compensation Items and Rates from One Scenario to Another?
- How to Input Data Using the Direct Data Input Compensation Item?
- How to Lock Compensation Items to Prevent Modification?
- How Changes to Compensation Items Affect Running Scenarios?
- How to Select Compensation Items for Calculating Wages?
- How to Update Compensation Items Loaded via a Data Load Rule?
- How to Make the Bonus Expense Calculation Variable?
- Compensation Basis Overview
- Employee Types Overview
- Pay Plans Overview
- Workforce Attributes Overview
- Employees Overview
- Using Export Employee Data
- Workforce Planning Setup Overview
- Capital Planning Overview
- Rules
- Data Integration
- Loading Data With Actual Data Templates
- Setting Up Translations
- Guide to Export Data Setup and Export Data
- Setting Up Transaction Details
- DLR
- Creating and Managing Data Load Rules (DLR)
- Data Load Rules - Field Explanation
- Understanding Data Load Rule List
- Understanding New Data Load Rule
- Understanding Select Sample Input File
- Define Overall Rule Settings
- Understanding Load Item - Segment Hierarchies for Define Overall Rule Settings
- Understanding Load Item - Data for Define Overall Rule Settings
- Understanding Load Item - Data for Attributes and Attribute Hierarchies
- Understanding Load Item - Data for Entity Hierarchies
- Understanding Load Item - Data for User Load
- Understanding Load Item - Data for Workforce Planning
- Understanding Load Item - Data for Currency Exchange Rates
- Understanding Manipulate Input File
- Understanding Define Data Mappings
- Understanding Load Data
- Processing of Data Load Rules - Scenario Locking
- Converting a DLR Type
- How to Add an Integration Service Process?
- Understanding Clear Data
- How to Clear Data in Finance?
- Workforce - Clear Data
- How to Clear Data for Specified Time Periods?
- How to Preview Data for Specified Time Periods?
- How to Export Data for Specified Time Periods?
- How to Preview Data for Specified Home Budget Entity?
- How to Export Data for Specified Home Budget Entity?
- How to Preview Data for Specified Segment Combination?
- How to Delete Data Using the Specified Segment Combination?
- How to Preview Data for Specified Employee and Position?
- How to Delete Data Using the Specified Employee and Position?
- How to Export Data Using the Specified Employee and Position?
- How to Load Zeros Through Data Load Rules to Reflect in a Template?
- Using Data Calculation Exceptions
- Additional Topics
- API Library
- Data Import
- Data Export
- API Compliance
- Client Application Platforms
- API Access Keys
- API Calls - Overview
- Objects
- Platform SOAP APIs
- Login API
- GetSessionId API
- GetVersion API
- GetAllCurrencies API
- GetAllCurrencyTypes API
- Logout API
- User Management
- Dimension Security Update API
- Structured Planning APIs
- Reports SOAP APIs
- Best Practices and Tips
- Enumerations
- Planful API Library
- Report Administration
- Using Application Audit
- Administration
- Release Updates
- 2024 Release Notes
- December 2024 Release Notes
- November 2024 Release Notes
- October 2024 Release Notes
- September 2024 Release Notes
- August 2024 Release Notes
- July 2024 Release Notes
- June 2024 Release Notes
- May 2024 Release Notes
- April 2024 Release Notes
- March 2024 Release Notes
- February 2024 Release Notes
- January 2024 Release Notes
- Product Summary
- 2023 Release Notes
- 2022 Release Notes
- 2021 Release Notes
- 2020 Release Notes
- 2019 Release Notes
- 2018 Release Notes
- 2017 Release Notes
- December 17 Maintenance Release
- 2.3.1 Modeling Release Notes, December
- Fall 17 Release Notes
- 2.3 Modeling Release Notes, November
- October 17 Maintenance Release
- 2.2.2 Modeling Release Notes, October
- September 17 Maintenance Release
- Summer 17 Release Notes
- 2.1.2.2 Modeling Release Notes, July/August
- July 17 Release Notes
- 2.1.2 Modeling Release Notes, July
- June 17 Release Notes
- 2.1.1 Modeling Release Notes, June
- Spring 17 Release Notes
- April 17 Release Notes
- 2.0.2 Modeling Release Notes, April
- March 17 Release Notes
- 2.0.1 Modeling Release Notes, March
- Winter 17 Release Notes
- 2.0 Modeling Release Notes, February
- January 17 Release Notes
- 1.9.2 Modeling Release Notes, January
- 2016 Release Notes
- Planning/Consolidation/Reporting December 16 Release Notes
- 1.9.1 Modeling Release Notes, December
- Planning/Consolidation/Reporting Fall 16 Release Notes
- 1.9 Modeling Release Notes, November
- Planning/Consolidation/Reporting October 16 Release Notes
- 1.8.2 Modeling Release Notes, October
- Planning/Consolidation/Reporting September 16 Release Notes
- 1.8.1 Modeling Release Notes, September
- Planning/Consolidation/Reporting Summer 16 Release Notes
- 1.8 Modeling Release Notes, August
- Planning/Consolidation/Reporting July 16 Maintenance Release
- 1.7.2 Modeling Release Notes, July
- Planning/Consolidation/Reporting June 16 Maintenance Release
- 1.7.1 Modeling Release Notes, June
- Planning/Consolidation/Reporting Spring 16 Feature Release
- 1.7 Modeling Release Notes, May
- Planning/Consolidation/Reporting April 16 Maintenance Release
- 1.6.2 Modeling Release Notes, April
- Planning/Consolidation/Reporting March 16 Maintenance Release
- 1.6.1 Modeling Release Notes, March
- Planning/Consolidation/Reporting Winter16 Release
- 1.6 Modeling Release Notes, February
- Planning/Consolidation/Reporting January 16 Maintenance Release
- Enhancements to Application Behavior
- 1.5.2 Modeling Release Notes, January
- 2024 Release Notes
- Additional Resources
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Using SpotlightXL- External Source Model Subtask
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External Source Models offer the ability for the end user to interact and collaborate on source models that are connected to overall corporate master models. ESM lets users make changes directly to the data in the source model. Contributors can then reload the data into the corporate model whenever desired.
With data source integration, you can import data from an external source into Dynamic Planning. Data can be imported from an Excel worksheet, a CSV (comma-separated values) file, or a TXT file using copy and paste (Ctrl+C or Ctrl+V) actions. Data can also be loaded using integration tools such as Boomi.
External Source Model Benefits
The External Source Model feature set is enhanced to support a wider variety of operational Dynamic Planning use cases like Sales Operations, Marketing Operations, Customer Support Operations, and Professional Services Models. Key benefits include:
- Enhancements to support operational Dynamic Planning use cases.
- A formula engine that supports multiple functions like arithmetic, logical, date, and text. These functions allow you to perform data transformations and to define the formulas on the ESM model.
- Ability to load data from a wider variety of data sources by using data transformations at data load time instead of being required to have a perfect data load file. Contributors can transform data with formulas and functions:
- Support for text functions like Left, Right, Concatenate, Len, Trim, Find, Lookup, Text
- Support for arithmetic functions like Sum, Avg, Round, Floor, Ceiling, RangeLookup, + - * /
- Support for date functions Year, Month, Day, DaysCount, DaysFactor, Days, WeekNum, Date, EOMonth, EDate, SUM, + -
- Support for logical operations with IF, AND, OR, ISBLANK, < > =
- Support for functions that work with multiple data types, like MIN and MAX
- Lookup functions to refer to assumptions from driver models
- Enhanced map capabilities when loading the data from ESM to the Master model: to filter the data that is being loaded, and to detect and dynamically modify the dimension hierarchy by appending missing metadata members.
- Enhanced Drill Through functionality for loading data into a Master model from multiple different ESM models.
- Ability to define formulas that are dependent on dates (such as start_date and end_date).
- Ability to manage ESM models from Model Manager (web).
- Ability to use Views on ESM models to interact with the data that is in the ESM models.
- ESM support in both SpotlightXL and Model Manager (web).
List of Key External Source Model Features
- Formula Engine
- Map Enhancements
- Model Manager
- Drill Through
- Views on the ESM model
Loading Data from an External Data Source into a Master Model
- There are five tasks to successfully load data from an External Data Source into a Dynamic Planning Master Model.
- Create the Master Model and define its dimensionality. See Spotlight Web > Model tab and Using the Dimension Browser for Hierarchy Management.
- Define the structure of the Source Model using the Source Model page. See the Source Model below.
- Define a mapping of the external data source to the Source Model using the Source Map page. See the Source Map below.
- Load the data into the Source Model using the Source Data page. See the Source Data below.
- Copy the loaded data from the Source Model into the Master Model using a calculation. See the External Source Map step in a calculation.
For an example of working with External Source Models, see How to Create and Load External Source Models.
For a detailed use case, see Step-by-Step Use Case for Forecasting Revenue Spread Over Time.
Details and Limitations
- Data Manipulations in a Data Load Rule are currently not supported for External Source Models.
- The Data Load Rule & the External Source Model are locked during the processing. The ESM cannot be updated or deleted, data cannot be loaded or moved from the same or any other Data Load Rule, and calculations cannot be triggered on a locked model. Similarly, the Data Load Rule cannot be updated or deleted while it is locked.
- A data integrity check happens before the actual data load and in case of any exceptions, the data load is aborted.
- Existing Web Services APIs (Boomi), Load Data & Transfer Data are extended to External Source Models.
- Clear Data on the Data Load Rules screen is currently not supported for External Source Models. Use the Clear Model menu command from the specific ESM in Model Manager, or use SpotlightXL to clear all the data in an External Source Model.
Best Practice Recommendations
- We recommend using only one DLR per ESM. Loading data to an ESM via multiple DLRs should be avoided.
- If the Power user would like to reload the data by clearing all the data in the ESM then we recommend using the Clear Model functionality for the specific ESM from Model Manager or SpotlightXL.
- Loading data via DLR is not supported if the Dynamic Planning application is not integrated with the PCR application. Please contact Planful Support for additional info on this.
- We recommend no more than 120 fields in one ESM model.
- We recommend no more than 5 million records in one ESM model.
- Define the ESM model and required formulas, load some sample data, and then validate the data and formulas. Once everything is working as expected, you can define the map to move the data from ESM to the Master Model. At any given point in time, users can update the formula expressions; however, if there is data loaded into an ESM model or if a map is defined, then making structural changes to the ESM model (such as adding a field, changing the type of the field, deleting the field) is not allowed. You must clear the data before making changes to the fields.
- When using copy and paste or when using a file to load data into an external source model, all the existing data in the model will be cleared and the new data loaded.
- Contributor and Reviewer users do not have the option to create a view on an ESM model. Only Power users have the option to create views.
- To create an ESM view, it is mandatory to select a map from the associated master model and also to select a POV dimension which will serve as a filter in run mode. For Contributor and Reviewer users, the filter dimension from the associated master model will filter the dimension members based on the dimension security defined for the Contributor and Reviewer users.
- ESM views where saving data is enabled allows users to load up to 10,000 records. If there are more records, then the recommendation is to leverage filter dimensions to filter the data input into smaller chunks.
- Use a single quote to input the dates in SpotlightXL.
Examples of Include in Clear Data Loads
Here are some examples of what happens with your existing data when you load new data into an External Source Model, using the Include in Clear Data checkboxes on the Define Overall Rule Settings section of the Data Load Rule.
Before the data load, here is the existing data.
Here the new data to be loaded.
Example 1: Include in Clear Data is checked for the Department column
When the Department field is checked, the DLR examines the new data load file to see which Departments are in it. In this case, the load file uses only one department: FIN. All data in the existing ESM with Department FIN is then cleared before the new data is loaded.
The resulting data is as follows.
Example 2: Include in Clear Data is checked for the Department and Company columns
When the Department and Company fields are checked, the DLR examines the new data load file to see which combinations of Department and Company are in it. In this case, the load file uses the following combinations: 1010 FIN. All data in the existing ESM with Company 1010 and Department FIN is then cleared before the new data is loaded.
The resulting data is as follows.
Example 3: Include in Clear Data is checked for all columns
When all fields are checked, the DLR examines the new data load file to see which fields have common values amongst all the rows.
The two new records are loaded. The resulting data is as follows.
Arabic and Chinese character support for ESM Data Load
You can enter Arabic and Chinese characters in an external source model (ESM) Data Load Rule (DLR) and upload it to Dynamic planning.
Backup and Restore of External Source Models
Power users can back up and restore External Source Models and their artifacts. The Model Backup menu item is available only to Power users and can be found on the More menu of the External Source Models listed in Model Manager. The Model Restore icon is on the menu ribbon and is available only to Power users.
This feature is available only in Spotlight on the Web.
All backup and restore operations are recorded in the Audit Log.
You can back up the ESM two ways:
Without Data: backs up the model metadata, ESM model definition including fields and formulas, ESM maps, and view artifacts.
All: backs up the same items as Without Data and also backs up all of the data. If you do not have the option to backup All, then you need to request Backup Data to be enabled on your application.
Dynamic Planning creates a .ZIP file and saves it to the Downloads folder locally. The maximum size of the .ZIP file is 200MB or as configured for your application.
As with analytic and master models, you can restore the model as is or restore it with a different name. Restore is available on the menu ribbon. It restores all related artifacts and creates the external source model. The ESM will be in a generated state.
Table of contents
- External Source Model Benefits
- List of Key External Source Model Features
- Loading Data from an External Data Source into a Master Model
- Details and Limitations
- Best Practice Recommendations
- Examples of Include in Clear Data Loads
- Arabic and Chinese character support for ESM Data Load
- Backup and Restore of External Source Models