Defining Report Calculations

You can define formulas to calculate row or column amounts. For example, you can define a row calculation which sums all of the rows above it in the report. Or, you can define a column calculation which calculates the difference between two previous columns.

Note: General Ledger stores credit balances as negative numbers and debit balances as positive numbers, so you should define your calculations accordingly. For example, if you want to calculate a gross margin row, add (rather than subtract) your cost of sales row to your sales row.

Use the Absolute Value function to display only positive numbers. You can apply the Absolute Value function to balances or calculation results regardless of the underlying debit or credit balance.

Note: You can assign either accounts or calculations to a row or column set, but not both.

Calculations and XBRL Output

When a column contains a calculation that operates on other columns, the XBRL output will be generated but the calculation results will not be present in the output.

For calculated rows with divide operations, ensure the divisor is not zero or determine an alternative for the row. If the divisor is zero for a calculated row with divide operations, the report will be generated but the result of this calculation will not be present in the output.

To define a calculation:

  1. From the Rows or Columns window, choose Calculations.

  2. Enter a sequence number for each step of your calculation. This controls the order FSG follows when performing the mathematical operations required to complete the calculation.

    For example, to calculate a derived row using the formula A(B+C), enter sequence numbers to perform the addition first, then multiply the result by A. The following table shows this calculation:

    Sequence Operator Operand
    10 Enter B
    20 + C
    30 * A
  3. Enter the mathematical Operator for each step of your calculation. Valid operators for row or column calculations include:

    Operator Calculation
    + Add
    - Subtract
    * Multiply
    / Divide
    % Percent
    ENTER Enter value
    AVERAGE The average of listed values
    MEDIAN The median of listed values
    STDDEV The standard deviation of listed values
    Abs The absolute value of listed values

    Note: FSG calculation operators are based on EasyCalc - a General Ledger mathematical notation feature.

  4. Enter a Constant, a range of sequence numbers, or the name of a row or column to use in each calculation step.

  5. Add as many steps as needed to complete the calculation.

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