Quarterly Financial Statement Roll Forwards Very Time Consuming
已回覆Hello,
There are several time consuming tasks that my organization has to perform manually every quarter and I'm wondering if there are either automated or AI solutions to perform the tasks. The two most time consuming tasks are:
1) Manually renaming each financial statement file from the previous quarter. Since there are hundreds of financial statements, this process takes a bit of time and seems like something that can be automated. We have to manually update the file name from "Q2-26" to "Q3-26", etc. every quarter as well as removing the "(1)" or "(2)" that appears at the end of every file.
2) Copying specific columns to new columns either within the same document or from a separate spreadsheet. This applies primarily to our statement of cash flows, balance sheet and income statement spreadsheets. We have different copying procedures based on the financial statement but ultimately it's copying one column from one sheet to another, but across hundreds of spreadsheets.
Is any of this doable? I've seen the Workiva AI button but wasn't quite sure if it could handle these types of tasks. Any info would be great, I'm looking forward to hearing back.
Eric
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Hi Eric,
Thanks for the question. Happy to help here.
Task 1: Bulk Renaming Financial Statement FilesThe Workiva AI button is not designed for file renaming — but there are two solid options.Option A — Bulk Replace (Built-in Feature)Workiva's Bulk Replace (Find & Replace) allows you to find and replace text across Documents, Spreadsheets, and Presentations in a single click. You can include or exclude links and formulas. This would let you replace "Q2-26" with "Q3-26" across content within files.Important caveat: Bulk Replace works on content inside files — it does not rename the file names themselves in Home.
Option B — Workiva Platform APITo programmatically rename the actual file names across hundreds of spreadsheets, the Workiva Platform API (GET /files+PATCHendpoint) can retrieve file metadata and update names in bulk. This can be automated via Chains (Workiva's no-code automation workflow builder) or via scripting. This is the recommended approach for bulk file renaming at scale.
Task 2: Copying Columns Between Spreadsheets
This is also achievable — here are your options.Option A — Chains + "Write Sheet Data" CommandWorkiva Chains support a Write Sheet Data and Overwrite Sheet Data command, which can write CSV data into a specific region of a spreadsheet sheet. This can be set up to copy column data from one spreadsheet/sheet to another programmatically across hundreds of files — and can be scheduled to run automatically each quarter.Option B — Workiva Spreadsheets APIThe Spreadsheets Sheet Data Guide enables reading cell data and writing values programmatically across multiple ranges in a single request. This is ideal for complex multi-spreadsheet column transfer workflows.Option C — Excel Sync (for specific scenarios)
If columns A-B come from one source and C-D from another, Workiva supports syncing multiple Excel files into one Workiva spreadsheet using multiple syncs.Note: There is currently no native Workiva connector command to copy a full sheet with formatting, formulas, and locked cells intact — but a workaround exists via an HTTP POST API call.
What about Workiva AI?
Workiva AI is not designed for file renaming or bulk data movement. It's built for things like intelligent analysis, disclosure generation, and insights — not operational automation tasks like these.
Recommended Next Step
Both use cases would benefit from a Data Management Practice (DMP) scoping conversation to design the right Chains/API solution. We suggest you connect with your CSM to request a DMS/DMP engagement.Let me know if you have any follow-ups for me or need anything else. Cheers!0
Are all of these solutions built into the platform or do I have to pay for additional services?
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