Input Templates

Differences in Input and Report Template

There are not many differences in definitions between a report and an input template. This is illustrated by making a copy of the Row Generation, 3 Dimensions example (EX_RT106) for report, and turning it into an Input, 3 Dimensions input template  (EX_IT101).

When opened in Clausion the Input, 3 Dimensions example (EX_IT101) looks exactly the same as the Row Generation, 3 Dimensions report.

The following changes are made to the workbook:

• The input cells (G4:G5) are unlocked

• Formulas are added to cells of sum accounts

  • Summing of rows in G6:H6. By adding formulas here we get the figures to change as soon as the user enters data (a formula entered in the workbook overrides data retrieved from the database). Without formulas data of the sum account would change only after refreshing the template.

  • No formulas need to be entered in the third data column as the XML file already contains a formula definition for this column.

Figure 58: Workbook of Input, 3 Dimensions

Only a few changes are needed to the XML file.

Templates in Clausion are flexible with regards to data entry and reporting. A template can contain several areas, some of which are for data entry and some for reporting. Within one area there can be input columns and report columns. This flexibility requires that the input or reporting feature may be defined at various levels.

In the definitions of Row Generation, 3 Dimensions the report feature was given to the sheet, area, and data columns. These are changed into input.

• sheet type is changed to input

  • this enables the Save button when opening the template

• area type is changed to input

  • this tells Clausion that changes to data in this area must be kept in memory for saving to the database

• definitions of the input column (datacol1) are modified

  • the save element is added with value = yes

    • this tells Clausion that data from this column must be saved when the user clicks Save

  • the datasource is changed to input

    • this tells Clausion to accept changes entered by the user

Periodizing Templates

The periodizing function is used for distributing a sum over several periods in an input template. Periodizing can be done based on a periodizing pattern or selected values. Users that have rights to the Periodizing Patterns management task, can create common periodizing patterns which are available to all users, as well as their own periodizing patterns that are only available to themselves.

A periodizing template must include:

• Column for the sum to be periodized in the Excel sheet, and the settings for it in the XML definition file. Note that a numerical extra field must be defined (in Data Types) for the sum to be periodized.

• Column for the periodizing pattern in the Excel sheet, and the settings for it in the XML definition file. Note that free text entry type extra field of text format must be defined (in Data Types) for the periodizing pattern.

• Data columns to which the sum will be distributed in the Excel sheet, and the settings for them in the XML definition file. Note that the data column must be periodical (datacolumn > datafield > numeric period = "periodical").

Periodizing based on values from data works correctly only if the periods in the input template are in chronological order (the earliest period in the left-most column). When using a periodizing pattern, the columns can be in any order. Note that it is not necessary to use the periodizing function in a template even if the template contains it. The figures can also be entered directly to the period columns.

For more information and examples about the parameter settings in the XML definition file, refer to the description of the periodizing parameter in Clausion Input and Report Template Parameters.

Managing periodizing patterns

Location: Periodizing Patterns

The periodizing function is used for distributing a sum over several periods. Periodizing can be done based on a periodizing pattern or selected values. If you have rights to the Periodizing Patterns management task, you can create common periodizing patterns which are available to all users, and also your own periodizing patterns that are only available to yourself. Each user can view the common and their own periodizing patterns, but not periodizing patterns created by other users for their personal use. For more information about managing periodizing patterns, see Managing Periodizing Patterns.

Updating periodizing pattern list in input template

After adding new periodizing patterns to the system, you must update the periodizing pattern drop-down list in the input template before the new periodizing patterns become available.

Go to the Periodizing tab and click Update. (Alternative: Click the template with the right mouse button and select Update from the pop-up menu.)

Note that this does not update weighting factors that have been modified when the input template was open. To update the weighting factors, open the input template again, or click Refresh on the Home tab.

If weighting factors are changed for a periodizing pattern that has already been used in an input template, the figures saved to the database are not automatically updated. The data must be saved again for each unit that has used the changed periodizing pattern.

Input Templates with Handling of Counter Units

For entries with counter units special definitions are required on the templates.

Two default templates for this purpose are available in Clausion: BW_IT202 Basic input, internal items by drill-down, 1 period (10 000 & 20 000) and BW_IT701 Other Entries, 1 Period (70 000).