When you encounter validation errors in your XBRL workflow, Workiva AI can help you interpret and resolve them without leaving the Validation Panel. For each error, you'll get a plain-English summary, regulatory context, common causes, and step-by-step tagging guidance.
This article assumes you're familiar with generating XBRL and navigating the Validation Panel. If you're new to validation workflows, start with the introductory articles in the XBRL Validation section of Workiva Support.
Requirements
- Access to a Workiva account with XBRL enabled
- A filing that uses the US-GAAP Taxonomy (AI guidance is currently available for US-GAAP filings only)
Get AI guidance on a validation error
- Generate XBRL for your SEC filing to populate the Validation Panel.
- Select a validation message to expand its details.
- Select "Help me fix this" to open the Global Companion.
- Review the AI-generated guidance that appears in the Global Companion panel.
While the Global Companion is open, you can move it anywhere on your screen, navigate your document, and interact with the XBRL layout without losing the guidance.
Understanding the AI response
For each validation issue, Workiva AI returns a structured response with four sections:
- Error summary: what the issue is
- Quick fix: immediate steps to resolve it
- Technical details: the underlying XBRL or SEC rule involved
- More details: an expanded explanation, available on request
Once you've reviewed the guidance, apply your fixes, regenerate your XBRL, and check the Validation Panel to confirm the error has cleared.