Extend Planning sheet with data input

Data input rows and columns enable authors to extend the Planning sheet by entering values directly within it. These inputs support planning, forecasting, and operational scenarios where certain values must be captured manually or adjusted within the sheet.

Using data input rows and columns, you can capture business inputs that aren't available in the underlying dataset or need manual adjustments while maintaining the report’s hierarchy, totals, and calculations.

When to use data input rows and columns

Data input rows and columns are useful when you need to:

• Capture manual adjustments or planning values.

• Add business metrics that aren't available in the dataset.

• Insert placeholder rows for future categories or products.

• Allow business users to enter data directly in the Planning sheet.

For example, a financial report might retrieve revenue and expenses from a database but require manual entry for values such as shares outstanding or newly introduced product categories.

Prerequisites

Before you create data input rows or columns, make sure that you have the following prerequisites in place:

• The Planning sheet is configured with the required dataset.

• You have edit permissions in the Planning sheet.

• The Planning sheet includes the row or column hierarchy where data input is to be added.

Insert a data input row

1. Select a row in the sheet where you want to insert the new row.

2. Go to Insert Row and select the row type to be inserted.

1. Insert a Data Input Number row.

2. Enter the Title for the Static Row and configure the row properties.

1. Select Create.

2. The new row is inserted after the selected row and becomes available for manual data entry.

Configure row properties

When creating a data input row, you can configure the following properties.

Insert As

• Single: Single row is inserted.

• Templated: Multiple rows are inserted across dimension hierarchies.

Scaling factor

Specifies the numeric scaling applied to the row values, such as thousands or millions. The default option is Auto.

Include in total

Determines whether values entered in the row contribute to parent totals or grand totals.

Distribute parent value to children

When enabled, values entered at a parent level are automatically distributed across child rows.

Bind for cross-filter or RLS

Ensures that cross-filter selections and row-level security (RLS) rules apply to manually inserted rows. This action prevents users from viewing data outside their permitted scope.

These settings help control how users interact with manually inserted rows.

Insert a data input column

Types of data input columns

Planning sheet supports various types of data input columns to be inserted, depending on your needs.

• Formula: A calculated column that derives values using formulas.

• Number: A column for numeric input, including integers, decimals, currency, or percentages.

• Simulate: A column for entering values used in scenario simulations or adjustments.

• Text: A column for free-form text input.

• Checkbox: A boolean input column for true/false or checked/unchecked values.

• Person: A column to select or assign a person from a predefined list.

• List: A dropdown input column allowing selection from predefined options.

• Date: A column for selecting or entering dates.

• Audit: A tracking column that logs changes and user actions for auditing purposes.

Steps to insert a data input column

1. Go to Planning > Insert Column.

2. Select the data input column you want to configure.

3. Insert a data input Number column. You can insert an empty series and enter your values, or copy from another series in the sheet.

1. Enter the Title and configure the properties. Select Create.

2. The Number input data column is created.

3. Double-click and enter the values in the cell.

Similarly, you can insert all other types of Data input measures/columns.

Configure column properties

Columns have the following configurable properties:

• Title: Name of the input column displayed in the Planning sheet.

• Insert as:

  • Visual Measure - A column is added at each column hierarchy.

  • Visual Column - A single column is added at the end outside the column hierarchy.

• Input type: Specifies the data type for the column (such as Number).

• Row aggregation type: Defines how values roll up across hierarchy levels (such as Sum).

• Distribute parent value to children: Automatically allocates parent values proportionally to child members.

• Enable Multi-Dimension Allocation: Allows splitting values across multiple dimension breakdowns.

• Minimum Value: Sets the lowest allowable input value for validation.

• Maximum Value: Sets the highest allowable input value for validation.

• Static Value: Set a fixed value.