Using the Data Collection Toolkit

Introduction

This section describes the Financial Analyzer data collection toolkit for use with Microsoft Excel. This toolkit enables you to create a simple lightweight data entry mechanism for infrequent users of Financial Analyzer.

Requirement for using data collection toolkit

In order to use the data collection toolkit, a user must have a thin client setup. A thick client cannot make the required connection.

Toolkit Components

The Excel Data Collection toolkit is made up of the following components:

• The Express Spreadsheet Add-In

• Express API callouts to Financial Analyzer functionality

• Standard Excel formatting features and Excel Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)

Toolkit Sample

A sample produced using the toolkit is provided. The sample is composed of the following files:

• SAMPLE.XLS -- An Excel workbook containing a sample data collection worksheet and a macro module containing routines to control functionality.

• SAMPLE.INF -- A text file containing Express programs for recalculating and submitting spreadsheet data. The programs can be incorporated in a Financial Analyzer custom database using the Express INFILE command.

These two files are located in the DOC\ADD_IN folder on the Oracle Financial Analyzer CD-ROM.

General procedure for data collection

Using this toolkit sample, users can collect data using the following procedure.

1. The user opens the workbook template in Excel. He or she is prompted for user id and password to access Financial Analyzer.

2. The user logs in. Financial Analyzer sets the appropriate access to the shared database and attaches the shared database as read-only.

3. Once the shared database is attached, the user can:
   • Enter new data into areas of the workbook specified by the template

   • Apply a Financial Analyzer solve definition to recalculate data in the workbook

   • Page through the query

   • Submit all changes made to the data in the workbook using the standard Financial Analyzer submit process