Note: To transition to the next generation of Wdesk, you need to be on the current licensing model and using Workspaces. Learn More
Before you get started, review the transition checklist to prepare to transition. Follow the steps below to transition your projects, Classic Documents, Classic Workbooks, and Classic Presentations to the next generation file types.
By default transitioning files or projects is only available for Workspace Owners. To enable Transition for all users, contact support@workiva.com.
Basics of Transition
You'll transition one project at a time and you can choose when to start. Typically, only classic files and projects used in the past 12 months need to be transitioned. You do not need to transition historical or archived projects.
Transitioning a project or classic file:
- Creates a new copy and converts Classic Documents, Classic Workbooks, and Classic Presentations to the next generation file types.
- Resets comments, attachments, tasks, track changes, and history.
- Keeps the existing files and project intact.
You can transition the following:
Classic Documents
Classic Workbooks
Classic Presentations
Projects with classic files
Transition Settings
When you transition files, you can choose transition and project settings to determine how items are handled. This lets you adjust options based your situation.
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Transition Classic Workbooks to Spreadsheets: This option is automatically checked to transition Classic Workbooks to next gen Spreadsheets as Workbooks typically contain source links.
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Transition cross-sheet Workbook links to cross-sheet Spreadsheet formulas: If you are using cross-sheet links in Workbooks, you can now use cross-sheet formulas in Spreadsheets. Check this option to transition them automatically to use formulas instead of links. Don’t check this option if you want to keep your same linking structure.
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Transition Classic Presentations to Presentations: Check this option to transition Classic Presentations to next gen Presentations.
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Transition Classic Documents to Documents: Check this option to transition Classic Documents to next gen Documents.
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Keep Comments for Classic documents during transition: If you don't transition your Classic Documents, you can keep the comments in the copied Classic Documents.
Project Settings
You’ll only see project settings when you transition a project.
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Period End Date: Enter a period end date for your new project.
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Target Filing Date: Enter a target filing date for you new project.
Link Formatting
If you transition from Classic Workbooks to Spreadsheets and choose to keep some document types as classic, there is a possibility that destination links will no longer show the text formatting previously used in the Classic Document.
This happens when a source cell in the Classic Workbook has text formatting applied, and that format is not the default formatting used in the Classic Document where the destination link is. If this happens, you can set up Classic Document defaults to match the formatting you'd like.
Transition a Project or Classic File
To transition a project or classic file:
- 1
- In Home or Files, right-click on the project or file and select Transition .
- 2
- Review the files you selected to transition and then click Next >. By default, any linked files are automatically included in the transition.
- 3
- Select options for Transition Settings to choose which file types to transition and if applicable, enter Project Settings.
- 4
- Click Transition. You'll see the progress of your transition in the bottom right and can continue to work as the transition completes.
- 5
- After the transition completes, you'll receive an email with a link to the new files and a transition report. Review the transition report to check for any formatting differences or changes that might have occurred during the transition.
- 6
- In Home or Files, update the transition status to Complete. You can find the transitioned files in a new folder named "Transitioned Items" with a timestamp.
- 7
- Review additional steps based on your solution and use case.
XBRL
SOX / Internal Controls
Recommended Steps
For additional review after you transition, you can:
- Run a PDF comparison between your classic and next generation files
- Run an Excel comparison between your Classic Workbook and Spreadsheet
What's Next
Transition Resources
Guides