Design Studio
Business Summary
As part of advancing the goal to modernize the report offerings within LeaseAccelerator, we now offer the Design Studio. The Design Studio is a unique reporting tool that allows users to add, remove, rename, sort and filter numerous data elements and subsequently save the customized report. This customized version can be viewed/generated strictly by the creator or shared with other users within the company. Reports can be viewed within the UI or exported via various formats.
This guide is intended to be a living document which is regularly updated to include the latest Design Studio offerings.
Download a PDF version of the Design Studio guide.
Business Views
A Business View is a data repository of various data elements. To ensure that specific data element can interact with each other without creating unexpected results, we will be segmenting the data into various Business Views.
Current Business Views include:
BVLedgerExport: Data associated with the original ledger export plus other accounting level data.
BVAccountBalance: Data included in the original Portfolio Trial Balance report along with other relevant and compatible data items.
BVAccountActivity: Data included in the original Account Activity Trend report along with other relevant and comparable data items.
A Data Dictionary providing the business definition of each data element within the Business View is included at the end of this guide.
Templates
Each Business View will be accompanied by a Template containing a few basic, widely used data elements (aka columns). Users can then customize the template to provide data their company finds useful in a single report.
Current Templates include:
Journal Entries Report: A 2-page template including some of the most popular data items currently included in the original Ledger Export. Built on the BVLedgerExport Business View.
Account Balance Trend: A 3-page template including the account balances for a selected time period for a specified ledger at schedule level, a summary of account balances by selected reporting period (monthly, quarterly, annually), and a parameters page. Built on the BVAccountBalance Business View.
Account Activity Trend: A 3-page template including the account activity for a selected time period for a specified ledger at schedule level, a summary of account activities by selected reporting period (monthly, quarterly, annually), and a parameters page. Built on the BVAccountActivity Business View.
Available templates are included under the new Design Studio tile within the Reporting workspace.
Output
After entering the parameters and clicking the Submit button, the following notification will appear in the report grid section of the workspace:
The resulting data will then appear along with the basic toolbar, which will be standard between Templates. The screenshot below represents the default toolbar visible upon report generation. Note that the default setting is “Basic View” which is the view opposite of the “Interactive View” listed in the far-right corner. This link allows for toggling between the two views.
Important: While some of the right-click menu options are available in the “Basic View”, any changes made in this view will not be saved for future report generation. Changes must be made in the “Interactive View” and saved as a new report in either the “My Reports” or “Client Reports” sections.
Icons and Menus
Note: Many pop-up windows contain a Help icon (?) in the top right corner which links directly to the third-party vendor’s published documentation. This may be useful for further explanation, however, please note the level of information included is written at a developer level.
Grayed out menu items are not available for selection.
Export - Opens a box allowing for the selection of format types for exporting. LeaseAccelerator currently supports PDF, Excel, Text (csv), HTML and XML. Note that when an export request is executed, there is no indicator (such as the spinning logo in the browser tab for the original BI reports) showing that the export is working in the background. Depending on the amount of data being exported, please allow 5-10 minutes for the export to complete before initiating the export sequence again. With HTML, large data results may cause your browser to freeze up.
The size of the export can be estimated by checking the number of ‘pages’ in the bottom scroll bar times 36 which is the average number of rows per ‘page’.
View Report Results - Results are opened in the web browser if the format is supported by a plug-in for the web browser; otherwise, the report will download automatically.
Save to File System – Results are downloaded.
Save to Version System – Option is disabled.
Select Report Tabs – Available setting when the report contains multiple tabs. To have the parameter tab of a template or customized report included in an export, both boxes must be checked in this section.
Select Format:
Excel format – Allows for either .xls or .xlsx version exports.
CSV format - Select Text and then More Options. A new box will appear in which “CSV Format” is an option in the Format field. After selecting your preferences under More Options, click Less Options for the OK button to reappear at the bottom of the box.
PDF format – Exports to .pdf file. Output may not be fully viewable in columns with a large amount of data.
When the export completes, a box appears in the lower left corner of the screen representing the exported output.
Undo – Reverts the most recent action.
Redo – Reapplies the most recent action previously removed.
Filter - Allows for advanced filtering options.
The example below shows a grouped filter on ACCOUNT_DESCRIPTION and AMOUNT. The result includes entries for Finance Asset over or equal to $1,000,000.
First drop-down menu includes all data elements (aka column headers).
Second drop-down menu includes the mode for comparison such as <, >, =, in, and like.
Third drop-down menu includes the values from the base report for the selected data element. This field can be filled in manually as in the example for AMOUNT below.
Last drop-down menu includes “And”, “Or” and “End”.
“And” – results will include conditions for that query plus conditions for the next query.
“Or” – results will include conditions in any one of the queries.
“End” – specifies the final query condition.
Clicking the ‘X’ to the left of the data point removes the query row.
The Advanced button offers an analytical view of the query.
Sort – Opens a box allowing for the selection of the column to be sorted along with radio buttons for Ascend or Descend. Clicking the + sign to the right adds another layer of sorting along with ascending or descending options. After choosing your selection(s), click either OK or Apply.
Search – Opens a box allowing the user to search for a specific value in a defined search field.
Zoom – Provides a preset list of options (percentages) for zooming in or out. The list also includes a Customize feature in which a box appears for the user to type in a specific percentage for zooming.
Page Controls – Determines the screen output placement within the entire report. The number in the Page box indicates which page within the overall report output is currently being viewed. The single > arrow advances the report by a single page at a time. The single < arrow moves the viewed report page back by a single page. The >| icon advances the viewed output to the last page of the report, while the |< icon returns the view to the first page of the report.
Full Data/Partial Data – Full Data (which is the default) will provide all data that renders for the requested parameters and filter combination. Partial Data will bring up a box in which a value can be typed that would limit the rows of data the report renders. Notice in the example below that a warning will appear to caution that the output may be incomplete since it has been limited to the number of selected rows. The Partial Data functionality may be preferred while editing a report in Interactive View since each change regenerates the report.
Customize Toolbar Items – Expands the menu of possible items to include in the standard toolbar. Hovering over the item surfaces an ‘eye’ on the right-side of the menu. Clicking the ‘eye’ determines whether the associated icon will be visible in the toolbar. An ‘eye’ with a slash through it indicates the icon will not be visible in the toolbar.
Go To - Allows for toggling between the different tabs associated with the report. Clicking the arrow on the right will show a drop-down listing of available tabs for viewing.
Exit – Exits the main reporting section so that only the UI parameters remain. Clicking the blue Submit button will generate the report anew.
In addition to the toolbar icons, users can edit the report structure from within the report itself by right-clicking in either column header fields or data fields.
Right-clicking while in a column header will bring up the following menu:
Hide Column – removes the column from the output but keeps it in the table-level menu of available items to add later.
Remove Column – removes the column from the output as well as the table-level menu of available items.
Insert – opens an additional menu defining which type of column you are wanting to insert.
Group Columns allows for aggregating output by a specific data element. This selection will open the box below:
In this example, the aggregation group selected was Transactional Currency. The result (exported file) shows a new column at the beginning of the report with the output aggregated by the different transactional currency types.
Groupings can be stacked as well. In the example below, Account Description has been added the original grouping.
The output below shows the first aggregation at the transactional currency level and the second at Account Description level.
Detail Column does not add new data elements from the Business View in the Basic View. Adding new data elements should be done using the Interactive View with the drag-and-drop functionality.
Summary Column – opens a box that includes available pre-defined aggregation formulas.
Common Column – Do not use.
Convert to Group – removes the highlighted column from the report as an output column and changes it to an aggregation point. Upon selecting this option, you will be asked where to place the aggregation label.
Aggregate On – opens a box listing the highlighted column header and allowing a selection for aggregation type. If one of the ‘distinct’ functions is selected, the ‘Distinct On’ field (hidden below by the drop-down menu) should be filled in with the requested distinct value. A ‘Sum’ can be added as a quick check to ensure the Debits and Credits balance on the Journal Entries Report for example.
Autofit – intended to automatically adjust column widths on a page based on the number of columns selected and the preset page size. This option is not recommended for use since it focuses on UI visibility as opposed to the exported file. Additionally, testing has discovered that activating this option could impair performance. NOT RECOMMENDED.
Reduce Width When Autofit – works with Autofit above to automatically adjust column widths on a page. This option has the same limitations and performance implications as Autofit. NOT RECOMMENDED.
Search – opens a box in which to enter search criteria. In this example, the entire report will be searched for account code 2610840.
Right-clicking while in a data field will bring up the following menu:
Filter – brings up another menu including Remove Filter, Top N, Bottom N, list of unique values in the column.
Remove Filter – removes any existing filter on the column in which the selected field resides.
Top N/Bottom N – opens a box in which you type the ‘N’ value which represents either the highest ‘N’ number of items in the column or the lowest ‘N’ number of items in the column. This option works for columns formatted as numbers only.
Unique Value List – includes all values in the column in which the selected field resides. This menu does not allow for multiple selections.
Sort – opens another menu including No Sort, Ascend, Descend.
No Sort – removes any existing sorting on the column in which the selected field resides.
Ascend – sorts the entire column of the selected field in ascending order.
Descend – sorts the entire column of the selected field in descending order.
Conditional Formatting – opens boxes where edit conditions and formatting choices are defined. In this example, Conditional Formatting was selected while the cursor was in the first data field under the “DR” column of the output. In the first section, ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION was selected along with the “=” sign and the Operating Lease Obligation-ST account. “AND” was selected at the end of the first condition to include a secondary condition. On the second row, CURRENT FIELD was selected (which defaulted in this screenshot to the technical name of the data element), along with the “>=” signs. The number “500000” was typed in the next section, and “END” finished out the second row of conditions.
Upon clicking OK, the Conditional Formatting box appears. Selections to the font type, size, style and color can be made here. Click OK.
The results of the Conditional Formatting above appear in this Excel export:
Search – functions in the same manner as the Search menu described above.
Right-clicking the cross icon selects the entire report and provides the following menu:
Apply Style – opens a box which allows the user to choose from different color combinations to apply to the report output. The applied style affects both the UI representation as well as exported versions of the report.
Show – opens a secondary menu of the following items: Table Header, Table Footer, Table Detail. When these items have an associated check mark, they will appear in the report output. Unchecking the items will remove them from the report.
Show Column – opens a list of all data items currently assigned to the report. Unchecking an item will remove it from the output but will keep it in this listing for possible use in the future. If a column was ‘Removed’ using the right-click option on a highlighted column, it will no longer appear as available in this menu. The report regenerates with each check/uncheck. If a previously unchecked item is later checked, it will appear in the report in its original position. (See examples in Interactive View section below.)
Hide – hides the entire report from view. The Undo icon can be used to reverse a mistaken Hide.
Insert – operates in the same manner as the Insert function described above when right-clicking on a highlighted column header.
Rotate Table – switches columns from reading top-to-bottom to reading left-to-right. Column headers move from the top of the report to the far left of the report (or reverse).
Refresh – regenerates the report based on the last selected parameters and filters.
Query Filter – operates in the same manner as the Filter icon described above except for the third drop-down menu which includes an “F” or “V” to toggle between field values vs. numerical values that can be typed in.
Search – operates in the same manner as the Search function described above when right-clicking on a highlighted column header.
Interactive View
Clicking the Interactive View hyperlink at the top right of the main toolbar enters the Interactive View in which advanced editing can take place. This is where a user can change column headers, add new data elements, remove unwanted data elements, rearrange columns, change formats and save the newly created report for themselves and/or other users within their company to generate.
Changing column header labels – can be accomplished in two ways:
Double click the column header to highlight the existing text and type the new preferred label. Hit enter or click outside of the field for the change to register.
Right click the column header and select Properties. Under the General tab, in the Text field, type the preferred title of the column. Click OK.
Adding new column – locate the selected item from the Resource View panel under the BV{name}. Drag the item to the column header row and drop in between existing columns for preferred placement. The data element name will be accompanied by a red slashed circle until it is moved into place in the header row.
Once moved into position, the red slashed circle changes to a solid vertical line.
This is when you should ‘drop’.
You will then receive the following message to which you will click OK.
Removing columns – can be accomplished two ways:
Click anywhere within the table so that the cross icon appears in the upper left corner of the table. Right click on the cross icon and select Show Column. Click any of the checked items which will remove them from the table.
Right click on the column header targeted for removal. Select either Hide Column or Remove Column.
Note: If a column had previously been Removed using the Remove Column selection, it will not be visible as an option in the Show Column menu. If the column had previously been Hidden using the Hide Column selection, it will be visible as an option in the Show Column menu (but without the check mark). If Remove was used in error, users can either use the Undo feature or once again drag the item from the Resource View into the table.
This screenshot shows the differences between the Hide and Remove options. Segments 8, 9 and 10 were Hidden. Those data elements remain checked in the Resource View and appear on the Show Column list for checking/unchecking. Reporting Currency was Removed. It is no longer checked in the Resource View and is not included in the Show Column list.
Rearranging/Reordering columns – after initially clicking on a column header targeted for reordering, click on the outer edge of the header and drag to a new column position. The action provides the same visuals as the process for Adding New Columns described above.
Changing formatting – click on the first value cell in the column requiring an update. Right click and select Properties. The Data Field Properties box will appear. The Format drop-down menu will change based on the originally selected cell. In the example below, the first cell under Ledger Date was used so the Format options include different versions of date formats. Select the preferred format and click OK. All items in that column will then be reformatted based on the selection.
Menus available from Interactive View toolbar
File Menu
Rename Report Tab – renames the report listed in the Go To portion of the toolbar as well as in the Export section. This does not change the name of the report shown on the Excel worksheet tab.
Close Report Tab – closes the current tab of the report. Once closed, the report will need to be regenerated by refreshing the Reporting workspace and proceeding to the location of the report.
Save As, Export and Exit all function as their icons are described above.
Edit Menu
Undo, Redo and Search all function as their icons are described above.
View Menu
Toolbar – expands to list three segments of the toolbar including Standard, View and Analysis. Checking or unchecking these sections determines which icons will be available in the user’s toolbar.
User Information Bar - hides or unhides the information bar at the top of the toolbar that includes the User, Catalog and Report name.
Resource View – hides or unhides the Resource View on the left panel. This section is needed for adding new data elements in Interactive View.
Turn To - Allows for jumping to either the First Page, Previous Page, Next Page, Last Page or a specific page. Selecting the Page option opens a new box in which you can type the specific page number you want displayed.
Refresh – regenerates the report with the current design and selections.
Zoom – functions as same icon listed above.
Options (Customize tab) – allows for customizing the toolbar icons. First select which of the toolbar sections you want to customize. Next locate the preferred icon under the Available Tools section on the left. Highlight the icon and click the right-facing arrow to add to the Selected Tools section on the right. Unwanted icons in this section can be removed by highlighting and clicking the left-facing arrow. Click OK when finished.
Insert Menu – These items have not cleared testing and are NOT RECOMMENDED for use at this time.
Report Menu
Filter and Sort – function as same icons described above.
Style – provides a list of available style pallets. When compatible with your version of Excel or pdf viewer, the selected style will appear on the exported report.
Change Parameters – opens the parameter box so that new parameters can be chosen to regenerate the report.
Help Menu
The items included in the Help Menu direct users to the third party’s technical website. We recommend using the LeaseAccelerator provided documentation and video for instruction. Questions not resolved with this documentation should be directed to your Client Success Manager or Client Support.
In addition to the menu items available in the Basic View when right-clicking on column headers or data fields, these items are also available in Interactive View
Delete - clears the column header if selected while in the column header cell; Clears entire column of data if selected while in the data field; Clears entire table if selected with cross icon.
Table Cell – opens a box for advanced formatting options for the data fields.
Table Row – opens a box for advanced formatting options for the selected row within the table (typically the column headers).
Table – opens a box for advanced formatting options for the entire table.
Properties – opens a box for formatting options depending on what was selected prior to choosing this menu item. Formatting options may refer to the column header labels (right click column header), data fields (right click data field), or the entire table (right click on cross icon).
Delete – Clears the entire table.
Save As – allows for saving the updated/enhanced version of the report as a new report name usable by either the creator only or others in the company.
Save As – allows for saving the updated/enhanced version of the report as a new report name usable by either the creator only or others in the company. After clicking the icon, the following box will appear:
After clicking the icon, the following box will appear:
Select the My Reports folder if the report should only be available to the creator. Type in the File Name you wish to title the report and leave the file type as ‘.cls’.
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Select Public Reports and then the company folder if the report should be made available to all users. Type in the File Name you wish to title the report and leave the file type as ‘.cls’. We recommend using a standardized and recognizable naming convention for reports in this folder.
While all users within the company may be able to generate the report, output will be based on the individual users access regarding specific business units, ledgers, entities, etc. as defined in Access Control.
Click on the Reporting workspace again for the saved reports to appear in the My Reports and/or Client Reports tile.
Saved reports are listed under either the My Reports or Client Reports tile depending on where they were saved.
Click either the report name or the forward arrow next to the report name to generate the report.
The parameters screen will appear.
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Once the parameters have been reviewed/updated, click on Submit at the bottom of the parameter screen.
Drop-down menus for some parameters may exceed the visible area near the parameter. Typing the first few numbers/letters associated with the targeted selection in the Search field will pare down the items visible in the drop-down menu. In the attached example, 2023 dates were not visible in the menu. Upon typing ‘08/31/20’, the list now only includes August 31st dates for all configured fiscal years beginning with ‘20’.
The “Save as default” box at the bottom of the parameter section is currently not operational. This will be addressed in a future release.
The “Do not show this screen again” box can be selected if you do not want the option to change parameters in the future. NOT RECOMMENDED as it is difficult to resurrect the parameter screen after selection. If this occurs, and the user can enter Interactive View on the report, the report can be generated anew with the Change Parameters option under Report in the Menu on the main toolbar.
Reports in the My Reports or Client Reports section can be deleted when no longer needed. To delete, click the ‘X’ to the far right of the icon menu next to the report name.
Important: Please note that any changes to a saved report while in Interactive view would need to be saved as a new report using the Save As functionality.