Introduction to the Spreadsheet Server User Guide
The Spreadsheet Server User Guide provides you with a comprehensive collection of information that enables you to use Spreadsheet Server to its fullest potential. This topic provides an overview for the Help content.
Spreadsheet Server enables organizations to gain live and dynamic access from their respective ERP or relational database from within Excel to data such as: GL, AP, AR, PO, Inventory, Manufacturing, Rent Roll, Sales, Projects, Time & Attendance information, and more.
The application converts Excel into a tightly-integrated analytical tool for any ERP system. Users can leverage the strength of their spreadsheets with seamless dynamic integration to their information, along with powerful drill down capability to the lowest level of detail. It allows users to build a range of reports from simple ad hoc workbooks to complex dashboard-type views of critical business data. Spreadsheet Server eliminates the rekeying or downloading of data into spreadsheets.
While maintaining the full functionality of their Excel spreadsheet application, Spreadsheet Server allows users to mix GL and non-GL data in a single worksheet containing a combination of powerful spreadsheet functions, such as charting, graphing, text formatting, and sorting. Dynamic information provides the basis for building accurate and elegant income statements, balance sheets, and other critical statements.
Installation Components
Spreadsheet Server Suite consists of these components:
- Upgrades: Spreadsheet Server Excel Add-In
- Upgrades: Application Configurator
- Upgrades: Cloud Connector (only applicable to cloud customers)
- Excel Add–In: for financial reporting across ERP platforms. Spreadsheet Server formulas used in Excel allow users to create reports using familiar business and accounting terms, rather than technical specifications.
- Query Designer: a user-friendly tool that enables users to design and maintain queries over any relational database. These queries can be combined with preconfigured formulas in a single Excel spreadsheet.
- Query Exchange: an online repository of queries from which the user may download selected queries to the Query Designer, then utilize them in Excel. Using the Query Exchange, the SmartPak feature is a method to group preconfigured queries together.
- Distribution Manager: eliminates the time consuming tasks of printing, copying, or creating email attachments; this tool automates the scheduling of report distribution from directly within Excel.
- Spreadsheet Writeback: a powerful tool used to write data from an Excel spreadsheet to a database. It is applicable for the JD Edwards ERP.
- Profile Scheduler: allows for scheduling various tasks, such as caching the Distribution Manager address book, refreshing workbooks, distributing Distribution Manager workbooks, and loading local database files.
Licensed Features
Access to each component is based on the licensed features assigned to a user:
-
General Ledger: access to
GL-related formulas in the Excel Add-in component. - Query: to query related formulas in the Excel Add-In component, and access to the Query Exchange component.
- Query Designer: access to the Query Designer and Query Exchange components.
- Distribution Manager: access to the Distribution Manager component.
- Writeback: access to the Spreadsheet Writeback component.
- Limited Licensing: restricts access to various Spreadsheet Server features (for example, Build a Template, Formula Assistant, Segment Lists, Locate Segment, List Accounts, Data Validation, and Upgrade Workbook).
Note: Excel 2013 is no longer supported. Users require Excel 2016 or higher to receive continued support from insightsoftware. Also, Excel's legacy Shared Workbooks feature is not supported. For more information, see Microsoft Support: About the Shared Workbook Feature, here.