A column set defines the format and content of the columns in an FSG report. In FSG, the commonly assumed attribute for a column definition is a time period (amount type), whereas the attribute for a row definition is an account assignment. Therefore, typical column sets include headings and subheadings, amount types, format masks, currency assignments, and calculation columns for totals.
When you define a column set, you can:
Specify account balance types - to include in the column. For example, you can define a column with actual, budget, or encumbrance amounts.
Create Headings - for your columns. You can also create relative headings, which change depending on the period of interest specified when you run the report.
Define calculations - to perform a variety of complex computations in your report. The calculations can refer to any previous columns in the report, including rows you choose not to display.
Specify formatting - using format masks, which determine how numbers in your report are displayed.
Secure column set definitions - to only allow specific column sets to be used, viewed, or modified by certain users.
You can define a new column set or use FSG's AutoCopy feature to copy an existing column set, which you can then edit as needed. You can also define column sets graphically, using the Column Set Builder.
For XBRL output, columns are used to show the Amount Type, Period, Offset, and Currency. For the Entity (or Company Name) part of the numeric content, enter the name as a Column Description.
For XBRL output, calculations must be performed at the row level only. If you choose a column set that contains calculated columns, the report will complete with a warning, A log file identifies the columns that could not be processed.
Navigate to the Column Set window.
Enter a Name and Description for the column set.
(Optional) Enter an Override Segment.
See: Override Segments.
(Optional) Select the Enable Security checkbox to apply Definition Access Set security to your column set definition. Definition Access Sets are an optional security feature that enables you to control access to your General Ledger definitions. For example, you can prevent certain users from viewing, making changes, or using your column set. If you do not enable security, all users will be able to use, view, and modify your column set.
If the Assign Access function is available for your responsibility, the Assign Access button is enabled once you check the Enable Security checkbox. Choose the Assign Access button to assign the definition to one or more Definition Access Sets with the desired privileges. For more information, see Definition Access Sets.
If the Assign Access function has been excluded from your responsibility, you will not be able to view the Assign Access button in the column set window. You can still secure the column set by checking the Enable Security checkbox, but only Definition Access Sets that are AutoAssigned will be automatically assigned to this column set. See your System Administrator for more information on Function Security.
Choose Define Columns.
Enter the starting Position for each column. This is the number of characters from the left edge of the page that marks where each column starts. Consider the following factors when determining the starting positions of your columns:
Total report width - With FSG, you can create reports with unlimited columns. This allows you to download reports of any width to an Excel spreadsheet using Applications Desktop Integrator (ADI).
FSG prints reports in landscape mode, with up to 132, 180, or 255 characters per line, depending on the printers you have installed. Optionally, you can print reports in portrait mode (80 characters) by first setting the profile option FSG:Allow Portrait Print Style to Yes.
Number of columns in the column set.
Width of each column - determined by the format mask and expected size of numbers to be displayed in the column.
Starting position and width of previous columns.
Currency profile options - determine whether you are using thousands separators, as well as positive and negative number formats. If these options are enabled, you must provide enough space in your column width.
Margins.
Overall appearance - balance and uniformity of spacing.
Note: Row line labels appear to the left of the first column in your report. Thus, you control the width of the row line items when you set the position of the first column in your column set.
Enter a unique Sequence number for each column. You can use the sequence number to define column calculations.
Note: The sequence number does not control the order of the columns on a report like it does for rows in a row set. Instead, column order is determined by the column starting positions.
Enter a Format Mask to control the display of values which FSG prints in the column. See: Format Masks.
Enter a Factor (Billions, Millions, Thousands, Units, or Percentiles) that determines how to display numeric values.
For example, if you use the factor Thousands with the format mask 99,999,999.99, the number 23,910 will appear as 23.91 on your report. If you use the factor Percentiles with the format mask 99.99, the number .1258 will appear as 12.58 on your report. To display amounts using no factor, choose Units.
Suggestion: If you assign a factor besides Units to each of your columns, put the factor name in the related column headings so you can easily identify the factors on your report.
(Optional) Enter the Balance Control options, Advanced Options, and Display Options for each column.
Note: If you want to create a report which reverses the commonly assumed attributes for row sets and column sets, leave the Balance Control options blank on this window and set them on the Rows window instead.
(Optional) To create a calculation column (for variances, percentages, totals and subtotals), choose Calculations. To assign accounts to the column, choose Account Assignments.
Note: A column definition can have calculations or account assignments, but not both.
(Optional) To create an exception report, choose Exceptions.
Define additional columns for the column set (steps 5 through 11).
Create the column headings. See: Creating Column Headings.
Save your work.
You can secure your column set definition using definition access sets. Definition access sets are an optional security feature that enables you to control use, view, and modify access to your General Ledger definitions.
The following describes what Use, View, and Modify access mean as it pertains to column sets:
Use Access: Allows you to assign the column set to reports at report definition or at report generation time. You will not be able to view the column set, make changes to the column set, or copy the column set definition.
View Access: Allows you to view the column set definition from the Column Set window and copy the column set definition. You will not be able to assign the column set to reports or make changes to the column set.
Modify Access: Allows you to view and make changes to the column set from the Column Set window. You will not be able to assign the column set to a report definition.
FSG has no restrictions on report width. You can create a large report and use ADI to download the report to an Excel spreadsheet.
FSG uses rules to determine page width and print style depending on the width of your report. Keep these rules in mind as you create column sets which affect the overall width of your reports.
FSG sets the width of your report based on:
the starting position of the last column + the width of the last column Or
the width of the column set header
If the width of the report is less than or equal to 255 characters, FSG will match your report width to one of the pre-defined categories below.
80 characters wide
132 characters wide
180 characters wide
255 characters wide
If the width of the report exceeds 255 characters, the report width will be set to the widest of the above two factors.
If the width of your report is less than 255 characters, FSG will follow the rules below to determine print style.
Portrait - less than 80 characters wide
Landscape - 81 to 132 characters wide
Landwide - 133 to 180 characters wide