Number
Numeric data can be entered and formatted in a variety of ways. You can insert a new empty series, copy from another series, perform an advanced copy*, or import from a file.
*The Advanced Copy feature will be available soon.
Let's first look at the steps to insert a numeric data input column. The steps to copy another column as a data input column are covered in 'Copy as data input'.
If you are using Inforiver Enterprise, you need to sign in to start inserting a number column.
1. Create a column
Select the 'Number' option in the Data Input dropdown. You will see four different options to create a column: Insert a new empty series, Copy from another series, Advanced copy, and Import from file. Let's go through each of these methods.
Inforiver Enterprise edition has been used below to demonstrate the four ways of creating a data input column.
i) Insert a new empty series
If you select this option, a visual measure gets inserted as shown below. There is a side panel that provides several customization options.
The available properties are:
Insert as: A column or measure can be inserted. If there is a column hierarchy, the input column is inserted for each category. In case of no column hierarchy, a single column is inserted.
Input type: The type of data input column; can be changed from the initial selection before creating the column by clicking on 'Create'.
Row aggregation type: By default, totals, and subtotals are defined as the sum of child rows. There are several other options such as average, minimum, maximum, etc. that are explained in detail here.
Distribute parent value to children: The values entered at a parent level are distributed to the child rows when enabled. This is very useful when creating budgets or forecasts.
Minimum Value: You can optionally specify the minimum threshold value for the leaf-level cells, which can be a static number or value from the selected measure. When set, Inforiver ensures that both user input and the allocations to these cells are always more than this value.
Maximum Value: You can optionally specify the maximum threshold value for the leaf-level cells, which can be a static number or value from the selected measure. When set, Inforiver ensures that both user input and the allocations to these cells are always less than this value.
Default Value: Choose to set default values for empty measures with values from any of the available measures. Only measures with the relevant year are updated, while others remain empty.
Allow input: By default, inputs are enabled in both read and edit modes. But, based on your requirement, you can allow inputs only in edit mode or based on a formula.
Description: Option to add a note for reference.
Change the title and go with the default for the other properties. Click 'Create'.
The measure gets inserted.
To learn to enter a value in an empty numeric column in the Enter a value section.
ii) Copy from another series
If you select this option, you will see a sub-option with all the measures/forecasts present in the report. You can select any series to create a numeric column with all the data copied from the chosen series.
A visual measure gets inserted as shown below. There is a side panel that provides several customization options. Change the title and go with the default for the other properties. Click 'Create'.
The newly created numeric measure will be pre-populated with the data of the chosen series.
In the below image, a numeric measure is created by copying the data from '2022 Actuals' and the created column is pre-populated with the copied data.
iii) Advanced Copy*
*This option will be available soon
When you select this option, a pop-up window opens where you can create measures for multiple time frames and populate them with various series and configurations.
You can also choose this option to fill in the blank forecast measures if you have already inserted them in your report.
The image below demonstrates the possible configurations (copy methods) you can set for each time frame of the measure. Let us look at the options available in detail.
Column: Define the end period for the column here. You will be provided with the +Add new option beside the Column Selection if the end period chosen is not the last one in the report. You can create multiple columns by selecting different end periods for each column.
Source Series: This dropdown lists the available native /data input /forecast series from which you can choose the required one to be copied. Choose 'Blank' to leave the measures empty.
Copy Method: Here you can select the copy method based on which the column is populated.
Period Range: Copies the data from a range of periods to the column, period-wise.
Single Period: A single period's data is copied to all the periods of the column.
Average of Period Range: The average of the data range is calculated and spread to the column periods.
Column Selection: This option lets you select a single period or a range of periods from the source series, based on the copy method chosen.
After setting up all the details, click Create. The image below is a screengrab of the result of the above configuration.
iv) Import from file
You can also upload the data for the input columns by importing it through a .csv file. Choose Import from file.
Download the template, save it, and enter your data in the file.
After entering and saving the data, click Browse and select the saved file.
Click Preview.
The measures are inserted as shown below. You can make any changes if necessary and then click Create.
2. Enter a value
To enter a value, double-click a cell and type in the formula bar that opens on the top.
You can also enter values directly on the cell as shown below.
The entered value is captured and it is also automatically rolled up to the parent as well as distributed to the child nodes if applicable.
3. Properties
You can modify the properties of a previously created data input column in the side panel. To open it, click on Manage Measures and the 'Pencil' icon as highlighted.
The side panel opens. The input type is greyed out. This is because once a data input column is created, you cannot change its type. You can make any necessary changes and click Update.
We have already discussed an overview of the properties here. Here we will discuss a few properties in detail.
i) Row aggregation type
Row aggregation type defines the aggregation method to be applied for the total and sub-total rows. By default, the subtotal and total rows are calculated as the sum of the child rows, as can be seen in the below image.
To change the aggregation method, click the Row aggregation type dropdown in the side panel. Choose one from the types available and click Update.
To understand the different aggregations, you can refer to this section.
In the below image, 'Maximum' has been chosen. The highlighted cells, which are the row subtotals, get updated.
ii) Distribute parent value to children
When a value is entered in a subtotal or total row, the value can be distributed to the child rows.
In the below image, 220m entered in the subtotal has been distributed equally to the subregions.
There are several other ways to distribute values which are covered in Budgeting & allocations.
Sum and Weighted Average are the only row aggregation methods that allow allocations/distributions from total cells to child rows.
This distribution can be disabled if not required for certain scenarios. Uncheck the 'Distribute parent value to children' checkbox.
iii) Min and max range
When you need to define a range for the data input values, you can use the fields highlighted in the below image.
In the dropdown, you can see the two ways of defining ranges. Click on 'Static'.
The input field gets enabled. Enter a value as shown.
Let's define a maximum value using a measure. Select 'Measure' and '2022 Actuals' from the dropdown list. Click 'Update'.
Enter a value that is not within the defined range. Double-click on a cell and type in the formula bar. Click 'Enter'.
You can see an error message that shows the allowed range for this particular cell. The maximum is 82m as that is the value of 2022 Actuals.
Values within the defined range are captured as shown in the below image.
4. Copy as data input
There might be cases where you want to create a budget for the current year based on the prior year's budget and then make finer adjustments. In such cases, Inforiver provides the 'Copy as data input' option.
Click on the column gripper corresponding to the measure you want to use as the base. Select 'Copy as data input' from the 'Insert' option.
A measure gets created with the same values. You can rename it and customize other properties such as row aggregation type or allow input using the side panel.
To edit values, double-click on a cell and enter as shown in the formula bar.
The values get updated and are also distributed or rolled up to the child and parent cells respectively.
In the next section, we'll be looking at dropdown input columns.
Last updated
