How to use Workday Adaptive Planning – tips and tricks
To help you make the most of Workday Adaptive Planning (Adaptive Insights), our consultants have put together these resources. Find quick tips, in-depth tutorials and articles here.
For the Workday Adaptive Planning User:
2-minute how-to videos and other resources
Select sections to view
Web Reports – Reporting and Analysis • OfficeConnect – Reporting and Analysis
Web Reports – Reporting and Analysis
How to create calculations in reports
There are 3 different types of calculations available to users in web reporting: Subtotal, Difference and Custom. This video discusses the differences between these calculations and provide common examples of where they work best.
How to build a Prior Month Year to Date (YTD) report
Relative dates allow reports to update the time period dynamically, rather than relying on user input. This video utilises relative dates to drive a Prior Month Year to Date report.
How to build a rolling 12 month forecast report
A common business requirement is to be able to see a forecast for the next 12 months. This video steps you through how to set up a rolling 12 month forecast report using relative periods in web reporting.
How to use filters and parameters in reports
One of the first questions you ask when building a report is “Who is the audience?” This audience will usually dictate the report in some way or another. But what happens when you want to target more than one audience with a report?
The use of parameters provide end users with control of how they want to specifically view the report by prompting the user to select an element. This video discusses the concept of Filters vs Parameters and how to use them in web reporting.
Conditional formatting with traffic lights in reports
We commonly get asked by clients how to incorporate a traffic light system in reports to indicate any Positive, Negative or Neutral values.
This video introduces the concept of conditional formatting and discusses how to incorporate icons/traffic lights with a calculation within web reporting.
How to repeat reports
Users often maintain multiple versions of the same report – often for different audiences. This can become a challenge when updates are required as multiple versions need to be managed.
Repeating reports allow you to create one report with a repeating element, so that a new report is created for each variable. This video demonstrates how Repeating Reports can be applied in web reporting.
How to build a Prior Month Year to Date (YTD) report
Relative dates allow reports to update the time period dynamically, rather than relying on user input. This video utilises relative dates to drive a Prior Month Year to Date report.
How to format reports
Good formatting adds a level of professionalism and sophistication to reporting suites. This video discusses tips on how to transform your report with a variety of formatting techniques.
OfficeConnect – Reporting and Analysis
How to group elements
Grouping elements in OfficeConnect allow elements to dynamically reflect changes made to the model in the report. When the grouping feature has been applied, any changes to the account such as new additions, removals or even a re-order of accounts will be reflected in the report.
This video demonstrates how to set a report up with the grouping feature, as well as how to update an existing report.
How to use filters in OfficeConnect
One of the first questions you ask when building a report is “Who is the audience?” This audience will usually dictate the report in some way or another. But what happens when you want to target more than one audience with a report?
The use of filters in OfficeConnect provide end users with control of how they want to specifically view the report by having a set of elements available to select from the reporting pane. This video demonstrates how to set up filters in OfficeConnect.
How to Find and Replace elements in OfficeConnect
We often get asked “I have spent hours building a report in OfficeConnect, but I’m afraid the requirements have changed. Do I need to start again? How can I change the report to reference a different version?” This video addresses these queries by demonstrating how to find and replace elements in OfficeConnect.
How to clear data with OfficeConnect
Updating OfficeConnect reports can be troublesome if the elements have not been cleared correctly. This video demonstrates the different ways to erase data, as well as the default “clear data upon save” behaviour.
Expanding and collapsing elements in OfficeConnect
The explore property in OfficeConnect has undergone some changes and updates. This video includes a walk through of how to expand, collapse, Keep and Remove, and explore values in OfficeConnect.
How to repeat reports in OfficeConnect
Users often maintain multiple versions of the same report, often for different audiences. This can become a challenge when updates are required as multiple versions need to be managed.
Repeating reports allow you to create one report with a repeating element, so that a new report is created for each variable. The following video demonstrates how Repeating Reports can be applied in OfficeConnect.
Dashboards
Conditional formatting in dashboards
Conditional formatting is an excellent way to highlight favourable or unfavourable trends in visualisations. This video walks you through how to build a basic column chart that compares Budget and Forecast for FY2021.
How to create a waterfall chart in dashboards
Waterfall charts are a great way to visualise movements between two components. This video demonstrates how to create a waterfall chart to see the movements between Budget and Forecast Revenue.
How to use context filters
A common concern users have with dashboards is that they can’t fit as much information as they would like on a small canvas. This video demonstrates how to use context filters to optimise your dashboard and take it to the next level.
Model
Version comparison in standard sheets
We often recommend you review Prior Year Actuals and Budgets when planning for future years. This video walks you through this process and demonstrates how to add a specific version to a planning sheet for comparison.
Productivity tips
Once you have familiarised yourself with Workday Adaptive Planning, you can start to incorporate keyboard shortcuts and customise your experience to increase productivity. The following tips will help you navigate the interface more efficiently.
How to create an attribute
This video demonstrates how to create attributes to enhance reporting capabilities. When attributes are used, accounts, levels and/or dimensions can be “tagged” with an attribute value. These values can be used to group the data and allows users to filter and view their reports based on these categories.
Forecast Versions for reporting (Part 1)
This video demonstrates how to create a forecast version. This is the first episode of a 3-part series which will walk you through how to best use forecast versions for reporting.
Forecast Versions for reporting (Part 2)
How do you create an additional forecast version for comparison? In this video we show you how. This is the second episode of a 3-part series discussing best practices when creating forecast versions for reporting.
Forecast Versions for reporting (Part 3)
What are virtual versions? How will using virtual versions for forecasts enhance your reporting? In this video we answer those questions. It is the final episode of a 3-part series which walk you through how to best use forecast versions for reporting.
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More resources
In-depth tutorials, articles and the latest Workday Adaptive Planning
(Adaptive Insights) release information, by the QMetrix team
How to Create Custom Accounts and Formulas in Workday Adaptive Planning
Creating your own formulas is an important step you can take to better analyse the data in your Workday Adaptive Planning model. In this article we show you how to create custom accounts and formulas.
Workday Adaptive Planning Features: Explore Cell, Required Columns on Modelled Sheets, and Erase Data functionality
We explore three features from the Workday Adaptive Planning 2021R2 release in detail: Explore Cell, Required Columns on Modelled Sheets, and Erase Data functionality
Workday Adaptive Planning Release Notes 2022: Feature Enhancements Review
Get the latest updates as our consultants share the highlights of each new release of Workday Adaptive Planning (Adaptive Insights).
Active Dashboards in Adaptive Insights / Workday Adaptive Planning – best practice tips
Bring sheets and visualisations together on one dashboard for a consolidated view, and see the impact of your changes in real time. Learn how to set up Active Dashboards in Adaptive Insights.
Reporting in Adaptive Insights – best practice tips and tricks
The Adaptive Insights suite offers intuitive, self-serving reporting platforms that provide a live link to your data. Learn how you can make the most out of Web Reports.
Reporting with Adaptive Insights / Workday Adaptive Planning OfficeConnect – best practice tips
OfficeConnect is an add-on for Excel. With it, you can build reports using OfficeConnect features, while making use of familiar Excel functionality. Learn how here.
Exporting data out of Adaptive Insights / Workday Adaptive Planning – best practice tips
There are a few ways to export data out of Workday Adaptive Planning – each with its strengths and limitations. Explore the different ways, including the lesser known Matrix Report.
Modelled Sheet Audits in Adaptive Insights – best practice tips and tricks
While a powerful feature, modelled sheets can be difficult to troubleshoot. Discover our tips and tricks for drilling into calculations and creating audit sheets.
Introduction to Dashboards in Workday Adaptive Planning / Adaptive Insights
Here we run through how to build a basic suite of graphics using the dashboard in Workday Adaptive Planning / Adaptive Insights. In this demo, we will create a dashboard to review revenue performance.
Productivity tips for Workday Adaptive Planning / Adaptive Insights
Here are some of the commonly used shortcuts, tips and tricks to help simplify and enhance your experience using Workday Adaptive Planning.
Versions in Adaptive Insights – Best Practice Tips and Tricks
How do you manage versions? Discover the lesser-known features you can leverage to create a more intuitive and bespoke planning experience.
What have QMetrix clients achieved
with Workday Adaptive Planning?
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