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Best Method - Single Source Spreadsheet to multiple Documents for Next Gen

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Hello, I'm looking at ways to improve setup for our documents and spreadsheets. We have 2 separate spreadsheets (Financial Statements and MD&A) linking to the respective documents of the same name. How can we set up a single source spreadsheet and properly link to the multiple documents without relinking or retagging XBRL? We have XBRL tags in our Financial Statements Document, but only used for our annual report, for the rest of the year, we don't use this Document with XBRL.

Specifically, for our annual report, we normally take a copy of prior year's Q4 Financial Statements (FS) Document and the linked Spreadsheet and a copy of the current year's Q3 MD&A Document and the linked Spreadsheet to make up the Q4 package. This way we have the XBRL tags intact in the FS and the most up-to-date narrative in the MD&A, but with this method, it would require re-linking of some values that flows from the FS to MD&A. It would be preferable if we can roll forward a primary folder for each quarter with everything we need, instead of combining 2 different files from different folders. We also have our press release linked to the MD&A.

  • I would like to hear more of what others have done. I'm planning to reach out to our CSM to discuss about this after Q3, but since this AMA came up, I thought I'd pick the brains of others first.
  • Is it best practice to have destination links in our FS and MD&A sourced from the same cell in the spreadsheet?
  • We are not using Wdesk Sync, as it would require a lot of rejigging of our Excel files to mirror how it looks in Spreadsheets, so we're manually copying/pasting between Excel and Spreadsheet, I guess we just have to take the time to setup both Excel and Spreadsheets to be the same, but do you have any suggestions or best practices?
  • I know we have Export Importer, which will eventually replace Wdesk Sync, do you recommend we begin to fix up our Excel files now and use Importer when replaces Wdesk Sync?

Thanks!

 

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  • Samantha Lee

    Hi Linda!  I'm Sam, the Associate Product Manager for Spreadsheets and I'll help answer your questions the best I can. I want to emphasis that before you do anything, I would ask that you double check with your CSM to make sure your specific documents and use case is catered to. 

    • Is it best practice to have destination links in our FS and MD&A sourced from the same cell in the spreadsheet?
      Users like having a single source Spreadsheet so all the data is current and conveniently located in one place.  However, please know that if you have any non-printing sections you would need to simply check the box "Disable XBRL for this section" via Section Properties (as XBRL tagging will still show up in non-printing sections when you file).  I would definitely advise you to talk to your CSM to get a custom perspective on how you should organize your own data and links though! 
    • We are not using Wdesk Sync, as it would require a lot of rejigging of our Excel files to mirror how it looks in Spreadsheets, so we're manually copying/pasting between Excel and Spreadsheet, I guess we just have to take the time to setup both Excel and Spreadsheets to be the same, but do you have any suggestions or best practices?
      Have you tried the Import option via the File tab or from Create button (last option)?  Import will carry over any formatting options so although you may see some slight differences, it should be very close to your Excel Spreadsheet.  Import also allows you to override any similarly named sheets in your Excel spreadsheet and NG Spreadsheet.  So if you updated your Excel spreadsheet and want to reimport it in Workiva, you can do so easily! 
    • I know we have Export Importer, which will eventually replace Wdesk Sync, do you recommend we begin to fix up our Excel files now and use Importer when replaces Wdesk Sync?
      Not quite sure what you mean here by "fixing up your Excel files".  The Importer option will translate your data from Excel into Workiva quite closely so I don't think you should have to do much (if any) work.  And this Import option is available now so please feel free to play around with it! 

     

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  • Samantha Lee

    Also here's a link to another community post that might help you! https://support.workiva.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360073171012-Single-Source-Document-for-10-Q-and-10-K-

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