Creating picklists in IBM Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) is a simple yet powerful way to control user input and improve data consistency. In this edition of our IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks series, Lee Lazarow, IBM Planning Analytics Practice Leader at Revelwood, walks you through how to create and customize picklists so your users have a clear, guided experience.
Watch the Video
See this tip in action! Watch the full video below to follow along step by step as Lee Lazarow demonstrates how to create and customize picklists in Planning Analytics Workspace.
Whether you prefer to watch the video, read the walkthrough below, or do both, this tip will help you better manage your Planning Analytics environment.
What Are Picklists in Planning Analytics?
Picklists are drop-down menus in Planning Analytics Workspace that allow users to select from a predefined set of options. They help maintain data consistency and make input easier for end users.
PAW allows you to customize these picklists to include or exclude blank or default values, giving you more control over user input.
How to Create and Customize Picklists
Lee Lazarow shows the following process in the video:
- 1. Access Format Manager: In PAW, open the editor for the cell or data area where you want the picklist.
- 2. Data Area Settings: Go into the data area settings, where you’ll find the picklist options.
- 3. Enable or Disable Default Values: The default setting includes a blank or “none” value. You can toggle this on or off depending on whether you want users to have the option to clear the selection.
- 4. Customize the Default Value: You can also define a custom value instead of “none.” For example, you could use a label like “*** LEE ***” or any other text that makes sense for your workflow.
- 5. Apply Changes: Click “apply” and “done,” and your picklist will update accordingly.
This approach ensures your users see exactly what you want in the drop-down menu, improving data quality and usability.
Why Picklists Matter
Customizing picklists helps:
- Maintain consistent data entry
- Reduce errors caused by free-text input
- Guide users toward valid choices
- Make workflows more intuitive
By leveraging PAW’s Format Manager, you can fine-tune picklists for your organization’s specific needs.
Revelwood is an IBM Gold Business Partner with more than 30 years of experience designing, developing, implementing and maintaining IBM Planning Analytics environments. We focus on solutions for the Office of Finance and have partnered with clients of all sizes across all industries to optimize, enhance and expand their use of Planning Analytics. Revelwood’s Planning Analytics team consists of PA experts with decades of experience, and we have been recognized via awards including IBM Champion status.
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Read more IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks:
Linking Textboxes in IBM Planning Analytics Workspace
Previewing Changes on Bulk Updates in IBM Planning Analytics
