Working with input apps

Your Longview system most likely contains either preconfigured or custom company input apps that allow you to input the necessary data.

Opening input apps

Tax Provision includes preconfigured input apps that you can use for administrative tasks and to input the data necessary to complete a tax provision. You can typically open input apps that are assigned to your group.

To open an input app from Tax Provision:

1. In the Tax Provision navigation pane, click the category (Data Collection or Administration) that contains the input app you want to open.
2. Expand the section that contains the input app and click the appropriate input app link.

   Note: If you intend to work with several input apps for a specific entity, use the Select an entity box to specify the entity. The entity selection applies to all the input apps for that section, and the application will not prompt you to select an entity each time you open an input app.

3. Do one of the following:
   • If symbols have already been specified for the input app, the input app opens.
   • If symbols have not been specified for the input app, the symbol selection page opens.
4. For each dimension that appears, use the symbol selector to select the appropriate symbol for which to display data.

   Note: In some input apps, you can select more than one symbol for the down and across dimensions. You can select only one symbol for each of the fixed dimensions. Also, select only leaf symbols for the fixed dimensions. Otherwise, all data is read-only.

5. When you have finished specifying the symbols, click OK. The input app opens in the workspace.

Selecting new symbols

Depending on your access and the properties of the input app, you may be able to change the symbol content.

To select new symbols:

1. Submit your current data before you switch symbols. For more information, see “Submitting data to the database”.
2. In the input app, click the Symbol Selection icon. The symbol selection dialog opens.
3. Select a symbol in the drop-down list or use the Symbol Selector. For more information, see “Using the Symbol Selector”.
4. Click OK. The input app opens with data for the new symbol.

Specifying display options

You can configure your input app to display symbol names, descriptions, or an attribute value for each active dimension.

By default, most preconfigured Tax Provision input apps display symbol descriptions for the Accounts and Elements dimensions.

To specify display options:

1. On the input app toolbar, click Options.
2. In the drop-down list, click Display. The Display dialog opens.
3. Select the check box for each of the following, if necessary:
   • Name—Displays the symbol name.
   • Description—Displays the symbol description.
   • Attribute—Displays the attribute value for the symbol, if available.
4. When you are finished, click OK. The input app updates to reflect the selected display options.

Navigating input apps

You can use various features within an input app to navigate your data.

Expanding and collapsing hierarchies

Depending on the properties of the input app, you may be able to increase or decrease the level of hierarchy detail within it.

If the expand arrow appears beside a symbol, you can expand the hierarchy. When you click the expand arrow, the hierarchy expands one level down for that symbol. If you expand a hierarchy in the down dimension, the children expand above the parent. If you expand a hierarchy in the across dimension, the children expand to the left of the parent.

If the collapse arrow appears next to symbol, you can collapse it. When you click the collapse arrow, the hierarchy collapses one level down for that symbol.

To expand and collapse hierarchies in an input app:

1. Right-click a symbol. A pop-up menu appears.
2. Select one of the following:
   • Expand All For Selected Symbol—Expands to show all symbols within the selected parent symbol, but only for the selected occurrence of that parent symbol. Other occurrences of that parent symbol are not expanded.
   • Collapse All—Collapses all symbols in the selected dimension in the input app. This option is available from every symbol in the input app.
   • Collapse Parent—Collapses all symbols for the parent of the selected symbol. This option is available from all child symbols in the input app.

Freezing rows and columns

You can freeze rows and columns so that they remain in view when you are scrolling vertically and horizontally in the input app.

To freeze rows and columns:

1. Right-click the cell where you want to start the freeze. A pop-up menu appears.

   Note: Freezing is not available for row or column headers.

2. Click Freeze. The input app freezes the rows above and the columns to the left and including the selected cell’s row and column.
3. To unfreeze the rows and columns, right-click a cell in any frozen row or column. A pop-up menu appears.
4. Click Unfreeze. The frozen rows and columns are unfrozen.

Applying filters

By default, Tax Provision filters text fields to hide zero values.

Searching input apps

You can use the search box to search symbol names and descriptions. You cannot search data cells.

To search symbol names and descriptions:

1. Click the drop-down arrow to the right of the search box.
2. Specify one of the following search orders:
   • Search Symbols - Down, then Across
   • Search Symbols - Across, then Down
3. For Expand Hierarchies, specify whether or not to find symbols within collapsed hierarchies and to expand hierarchies when they contain the search term.
4. Type the text to search for in the Search box. Matches, if any, display with yellow highlighting.

   Note: To move to the next instance of the search term, click Next.

5. When you are finished, click the x in the Search box to clear the search term and remove any search highlighting.

Viewing fixed dimensions

You can view the fixed dimensions for the input app, if required.

To view fixed dimensions:

1. In the input app, click the Fixed tab. The Fixed dimensions tab expands in the view.
2. Review the fixed dimension symbols for the current input app.

Viewing instructions

The Tax Provision input apps are preconfigured with general instructions.

To view instructions:

1. In the input app, click the Instructions tab. The Instructions tab expands in the view.
2. Review the instructions for the current input app.

Viewing batch or event status

Input apps in Tax Provision include a message bar that gives information about when a calculation for an input app is running, which indicates that the data displayed in the app may not be up-to-date.

You can refresh to update the message bar to the current status.

Inputting data

Input apps contain various features to help you input, analyze, and submit your data with greater ease and accuracy.

Copying and pasting data

You can copy and paste from and to a single cell, or you can copy and paste the data to and from a range of cells.

To copy and paste data:

1. Do one of the following:
   • To copy and paste to and from a single cell, right-click the cell containing the data you want to copy.
   • To copy and paste to and from a range of cells, right-click a cell and drag to select a range.

   A pop-up menu appears.

2. Click Copy.
3. Do one of the following:
   • If you selected data from a single cell, right-click the target cell.
   • If you selected data from a range of cells, right-click the first cell in the target range.

   A pop-up menu appears.

4. Click Paste. The data is pasted into the target cell or range.

Cut and pasting data

If you want to zero-out the target cells, you can cut the data and paste it to the relevant source cells. You can cut and paste from and to a single cell, or you can cut and paste the data in a range of cells.

Note: You can cut data only from editable cells. If you want to use data from protected cells, you must use the Copy option.

To cut and paste data:

1. Do one of the following:

   • To cut from and paste to a single cell, right-click the cell containing the data you want to copy.
   • To cut from and paste to a range of cells, click a cell and drag to select a range. Then right-click anywhere within the range.

   A pop-up menu appears.

   Note: You can cut editable cells only.

2. Click Cut. The data in the source cells is set to zero.
3. Do one of the following:
   • If you selected data from a single cell, right-click the target cell.
   • If you selected data from a range of cells, right-click the first cell in the target range.

   A pop-up menu appears.

4. Click Paste. The data is pasted into the target cell or range.

Refreshing data in Tax Provision

If you have had an input app open for a while, you may want to update its contents, so that it displays the most recent data.

You may want to refresh data, for example, if:

• you have made changes, but you do not want to save them
• you are advised that some reference data has changed in the database

In these situations, you can replace the existing data with data from the database without closing and reopening the file.

Caution: When you refresh data, any data that you have added to the input app and have not yet submitted is lost and replaced with data that currently resides on the database. If you want to save any new data, submit it to the database before refreshing. Use with caution.

To refresh the contents of an input app:

1. If you want to save any changes you have recently made, submit the data to the database first. For more information, see “Submitting data to the database”.
2. Click Refresh. If you have made changes to the input app since the last submission, a confirmation dialog opens.

   Caution: Read the confirmation dialog carefully, to ensure that you do not lose desired data. Use with caution.

3. Click Yes.

Working with comments

If your system is configured to allow comments, you can add comments that explain your entries to cells of an input app. A comment indicator (a small red triangle) appears in the top-right corner of any cell that contains at least one comment.

Adding comments

You can add comments to input apps to explain your entries.

To add a comment:

1. In the input app, right-click the cell that requires a comment. A pop-up menu appears.

   Note: You must select an editable cell

2. Click Comment. A new line appears in the Comments list.
3. Click in the Comment cell and type the comment.

   Note: Comments can contain a maximum of 100 characters.

4. When you are finished adding comments to the cell, click OK.
5. The comments are saved for the selected cell and a comment indicator appears.

   Caution: Depending on your authorizations, you may not be able to delete a comment after it has been submitted to the database. Post comments with caution

6. Click Submit.

Deleting comments

If you do not need a comment, you can delete it. You can delete any comment that you created during this session; however, depending on your authorizations, you may not be able to delete comments that have already been submitted to the database.

To delete a comment:

1. Right-click the cell that contains the comment to delete.
2. Click Comments. The Comments dialog opens.
3. Select the check box adjacent to the comment to remove.
4. Click Remove. The comment is removed from the Comments list.
5. Click OK to return to the input app.

Working with attachments

If your system is configured to allow attachments, and you need to add supplemental information to an input app, you can attach a file to a cell. Files that you attach and submit are stored in the database. You can attach files of any extension; however, your computer must have an appropriate program installed to open any attachments that you download from the database.

Note: Depending on your system configuration, the option to attach files may not be available. Contact your System Administrator for more information.

Attaching files

You can attach a file to a cell in an input app to provide supplemental information.

Note: You can attach files only to editable cells.

To attach a file:

1. In the input app, right-click the cell to which to attach the file. A pop-up menu appears.

   Note: You must select an editable cell.

2. Click Attachments. The Attachments dialog opens.
3. Click Attachment. The Open dialog opens.
4. Navigate to and select the file that you want to upload. File names for attachments must be unique within a cell.

   Note: Due to limits in path lengths on Windows operating systems, file name lengths are limited to 100 characters or less. If you are encountering issues attaching files with long file names, contact your Longview System Administrator.

5. Click Open. The Attachments dialog appears with the new file in the list.
6. Click OK. A paperclip icon appears in the selected cell.

   Note: File attachments are added to the Longview database when you submit the input app.

7. Click Submit.

Opening and saving attachments

If you want to open a file attachment or save a copy locally, you can open or download the attachment from the Longview database from the Attachments dialog.

To open or save an attachment:

1. Open the appropriate Input app.
2. Right-click the cell that contains the attachment that you want to open or save. A pop-up menu appears.
3. Click Attachments. The Attachments dialog opens.
4. In the Attachments list, click the file name of the attachment to open or save. The File Download dialog opens.
5. Do one of the following:
   • To view the attachment, click Open. The file opens.

     Note: You must have an appropriate program installed on your local machine to open file attachments. If you do not have an appropriate program, you are prompted to either locate a program or save the file.

   • To save the attachment, click Save. The Save As dialog opens. Browse to the location to which to save the file and click Save. The file is saved to the specified location.

Removing attachments

If you have not yet submitted data to the database and do not need an attachment that you added during this session, you can remove it from the input app.

If you want to remove an attachment that you have already submitted to the database, see “Deleting attachments from the database”.

To remove an attachment:

1. Right-click the cell that contains the attachment that you want to remove. A pop-up menu appears.
2. Click Attachments. The Attachments dialog opens.
3. Select the check box adjacent to the attachment that you want to remove.
4. Click Undo. The attachment is removed.

   Note: The attachment is removed from the selected cell only; if you have files with the same name attached to other cells or input apps, you must repeat this procedure to remove each individual instance.

Deleting attachments from the database

If you no longer need an attachment, and you have submitted the input app, you can delete the attachment from the Longview database. For information on removing attachments before you submit the input app, see “Removing attachments”.

To delete an attachment:

1. Right-click the cell that contains the attachment that you want to delete. A pop-up menu appears.
2. Click Attachments. The Attachments page opens.
3. Select the check box adjacent to the attachment that you want to remove.
4. Click Remove. If you change your mind, you can click the Undo icon.
5. Click Close.

   Note: Attachments are deleted from the database when you submit the input app. Attachments are deleted for the selected cell only; if you have files with the same name attached to other cells or input apps, you must repeat this procedure for each instance.

Analyzing data for automation source information

In the event that an automated amount requires clarification, you may be able to analyze it to view the source trial balance data and supporting information (such as percentages applied) that resulted in that automated amount.

You can analyze automated data for the following account types:

• book-tax differences
• net income before tax
• current and deferred tax
• tax account rollforward

In addition, the Analyze app includes a header that lists account and entity-specific settings, configured during system implementation, that may impact the automated value. For information on account and entity-specific settings, see the Longview Tax Administrator’s Guide or contact your System Administrator.

Analyze functionality is available in the input apps listed in the table below.

The Analyze app displays the source amounts and the proof amount for the analyzed cell. If the proof amount matches the value in the analyzed cell, it displays in green.

In this example, the Actuals Calculation Method setting for this account for the selected entity is Change in Balance, so the expected value is the difference between the current and prior year period, multiplied by the required percentage. Since the analyzed cell matched the proof amount displays in green.

Supporting information changes depending on the settings used. For example, if the Actuals Calculation Method setting for this account for the selected entity had been Year-To-Date Balance, the prior year time period would not display in the app, since it would not apply. If the expected amount does not match the value in the analyzed cell, the proof amount displays in red.

If you encounter this scenario, you should close the Analyze app and Refresh the input app in case any events are in progress. If, after refreshing, the proof amount still does not match the value in the analyzed cell, contact your System Administrator. They may need to run the associated calculations manually in order to update the system.

To analyze accounts for automation source information:

1. In the appropriate input app, right-click the calculated data cell to analyze.
2. Select Analyze on the context menu. The Analyze app opens.
3. In the header area, review the following:
   • Entity and currency information
   • Selected symbol information
   • Related account and entity-specific settings
4. In the grid area, review the source values for the calculation and any supporting information.
5. 5.Verify that the proof amount matches the value in the analyzed cell and is green.

Submitting data to the database

When you are finished modifying the data in the input app, you must submit the data to the Longview database. After you submit your data, you may continue to make changes and submit those changes if necessary.

To submit your data:

1. Make sure you have entered all data accurately.
2. Make sure you have added explanatory information as required. For more information, see “Working with comments” and “Working with attachments”.
3. Click Submit.
4. After your final data is submitted, close the input app.

Printing input apps

You can print input apps at any time. However, before you do, it is a good idea to make sure your browser settings are properly defined so that all shading and background detail are visible on the printed report.

Specifying print options

Before you send an input app to the printer, you can modify print options and view a print preview.

To specify print options:

1. Click Print Preview. The Print Preview dialog opens.
2. Click Page Setup. The Page Setup dialog opens.
3. Complete the following fields:

   Field	Description
   Orientation	Select either Portrait or Landscape orientation for the printout.
   Margins	Specify the following: Left—Enter the size of the left margin of the printout in inches. Right—Enter the size of the right margin of the printout, in inches. Top—Enter the size of the top margin of the printout, in inches. Bottom—Enter the size of the bottom margin of the printout, in inches.
   Scaling	Specify one of the following: Adjust to ... % normal size—Type the size in which you want to display the data in the printout as a percentage of the default displayed size. Fit to: ... Page(s) wide by ... tall—Specify the number of pages wide by the number of pages tall to fit the printout to.
   Paper	Select the appropriate Paper size option for your printout.
   Options	Specify whether or not to print grid lines.
   Page Order	Select whether you want to print the pages of the report from side to side, or top to bottom. The default setting is the setting in the .rpt file.

4. Click OK to return to the Print Preview dialog.
5. Continue to “Printing an input app”.

Printing an input app

You can print the current view of an input app. Before you print, make sure that the symbols that you want to appear in the printout are visible in the current view.

To print an input app:

1. Click Print Preview. The Print Preview dialog opens.
2. Do one of the following:
   • If you want to change the layout settings, refer to “Specifying print options”.
   • If you are satisfied with the format for the printout, click Print. The Print dialog opens.
3. Specify the relevant printer options and click Print. The input app prints as formatted.

Exporting input apps to Microsoft Excel

You can export data from input apps to Microsoft Excel.

To export input apps to Microsoft Excel:

1. Click Export to Excel. The Save As dialog opens.
2. Navigate to the location in which to save the file.
3. Complete these fields:

   Field	Description
   File name	Type a name for the worksheet.
   Save as type	Select Excel Files (*.xlsx).

4. Click Save. The file opens in Microsoft Excel.