Linking a Row Definition and Reporting Tree

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Hello:

I just got one of the biggest surprises in finding out that the Management Reporter reporting tree only allows you to place one row definition in its "Row Definitions" column.

If you can't put multiple trees in that column, then I don't see what good that column is in the first place.

Oh, well. Back to my problem.

I'm creating multiple row definitions, each representing a given country. I'd like to link each row definition to specific units of the reporting tree. Is there any way of doing this?

If not, then the reporting that I have in mind for an international balance sheet is "hosed". How do companies that have different charts of accounts for each international location conduct such reporting? I can't believe that there is not a clear-cut way of linking multiple row definitions to a tree.

Thanks!

John

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MattPaulen 6,912 on at

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Hi John,

If I understand you correctly, what you are looking for is called Row Links. What this enables you to do is have multiple financial dimension links within one row format. You can add a link by clicking on Edit within the Row format and then I believe it's Row Linking (or something similar). You can name each link and you can have several. Each one will add a new column after the default row link within the row format. So this way you can have a standard row format but each row link can have different accounts listed per line on the report.

Then in your tree, you'd specify per tree unit which row link to use so each international unit would be using it's own row link on your row format. This will allow you to consolidate companies that have different COA's in them.

I believe there is a setting on the report that you want to make sure is checked. Something like "Use Row Definition from Reporting Tree".

Hopefully I was understanding what you are trying to do.

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Hi There, Matt:

Yes, you basically have the idea. Since I cannot specify a row definition for the unit of the tree that applies to that row definition's country, I have to somehow find a way to do the opposite--link that country's unit of the tree to that country's row definition.

The problem is that, when I choose Edit...Row Links in the row definition, I don't see a way of linking to a tree. Was this ability available in FRx and not in Management Reporter?

John

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MattPaulen 6,912 on at

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It exists in MR. I've done something similar a couple of times.

It's not the row link that points to the tree. It's the tree unit that points to the row link. For example, you have the default link in the row format that is column J, you can add another row link which would be column K which you could call Company 2. You'd add the corresponding accounts for company 2 in column K in the row format and save it.

Then you'd open up your tree that has all your entities in it. Under the Row Definitions column, this is where you would specify which Row Link is to be used for that unit of the tree. So wherever company lies in that tree you'd double click in the Row definition column and choose the Company 2 row link.

When you generate your report, the tree is defining which row link to use within the row format.

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Hi Matt:

I see what you're saying. Indeed, in column F of a reporting tree, there is the "Financial Dimensions link. So, you would at that point choose the column that you have added in your row definition.

But, here's the problem. The tree makes you place the same row definition in each unit! :(

That's horrible.

Well, to me it's a very reasonable presumption that a column called "Row Definitions" in a reporting tree would allow you to reference different row definitions in that column and that's what I told my supervisors in a meeting this morning.

Now, I have to go back and tell them that I was wrong. So, I'm about to lose credibility and--more importantly--tell them that this feature does not exist unless I can find a different way of accomplishing this.

Hmm...I wonder if I should maybe try to link the row definition to an Excel spreadsheet that contains the accounts for the applicable country. Maybe then, I can get this linking to work. I'll try to figure that out. That seems more work than necessary, but.......

Goodness!!!

John

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Yeah, I'm going to have to find a way to have the foreign country's accounts housed in a spreadsheet, link that spreadsheet to a separate column in the row definition, and link that column to the unit in the reporting tree.

Okay. That's not the worse thing in the world, though it is extra work and maintenance.

But, I cannot even figure out how to do this in the row definition. When I choose to link to "worksheet", it does not let me browse to the worksheet. And, even though choosing "Financial Dimension + Worksheet" let's me browse to the sheet, the "new" column in the row definition does not provide a way of showing the cell(s) from the spreadsheet.

I'm tired. So, I'm going home. If you have a thought on this, I'd appreciate it! I've been grateful for your help!!! :)

John

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MattPaulen 6,912 on at

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It's been a long time since I've linked to a worksheet but every time I've done it it is to bring in actual dollar amounts based on the cell in Excel. I'm not sure if you can specify accounts that way.

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Ryan:

I took another look at Row Links, and you were right. It's working great.

Thank you!

John

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Manikandan 2,845 on at

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Hi John,

one of my client is having the same scenario. They need different account segments for different reporting unit. I tried the same menthod in this discussion and I am able achieve report. The issue I am facing, if I select individual reporting unit in the reporting tree it’s shows the correct value. But, if I select all reporting units in the tree the values are incorrect. Is there any steps that I have missed?

Thanks,

mani

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Manikandan 2,845 on at

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Hi John,

one of my client is having the same scenario. They need different account segments for different reporting unit. I tried the same menthod in this discussion and I am able achieve report. The issue I am facing, if I select individual reporting unit in the reporting tree it’s shows the correct value. But, if I select all reporting units in the tree the values are incorrect. Is there any steps that I have missed?

Thanks,

mani

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