Planning & Forecasting

Workday Adaptive Planning Tips & Tricks: Greatest & Least Formulas

April 30, 2025 by Cameron Burke

Many of you have probably used the MIN and MAX formulas in Excel when working with financial models, reporting, and data analysis, comparing and selecting minimum or maximum values in a range is a common requirement. In Workday Adaptive Planning, we achieve these results by using the “least” and “greatest” functions. While these functions serve similar purposes, there are key differences in their syntax, use cases, and behavior. Let’s explore these differences to help you transition smoothly between Excel and Workday Adaptive Planning.

Excel’s MIN and MAX Functions

Syntax and Usage

Excel provides the following functions for determining the smallest and largest values within a range or set of numbers:

=MIN(number1, number2, …, range) – Returns the smallest number from the given arguments.
=MAX(number1, number2, …, range) – Returns the largest number from the given arguments.

Examples

=MIN(5,10,15) – Returns the number 5.
=MAX(A1:A10) – Returns the highest value within this range of cells.

Syntax and Usage

Accepts both individual numbers and ranges.
Ignores blank cells and text values within a range.
Can handle a large dataset efficiently.

Workday Adaptive Planning’s “Least” and “Greatest” Functions

Syntax and Usage

In Workday Adaptive Planning, similar functionality is achieved using:

least(value1, value2, …) – Returns the smallest value from the provided list.
greatest(value1, value2, …) – Returns the largest value from the provided list.

Examples

least(5, 10, 15) – Returns 5
greatest([Account1], [Account2], [Account3]) – Returns the highest value among the specified accounts
greatest(Account1 – Account2, 0) – Returns 0 if the formula results in a negative number

Key Features

Works with both hardcoded values, account references and formulas.
Requires specifying individual values explicitly; does not accept a single range like Excel.
Useful for comparing multiple account balances or forecast values within a model.

Understanding these differences ensures a smoother transition between Excel-based financial modeling and Workday Adaptive Planning. While the fundamental concept remains the same, adjusting for syntax and range-handling nuances will help you leverage these functions effectively in both tools.

Revelwood is an award-winning, Platinum Solution Provider for Workday Adaptive Planning. We build solutions for the Office of Finance that minimize your risk by seamlessly incorporating business analytics into your everyday thinking. By combining the software with our best practices and out-of-the-box applications, we help businesses achieve their full potential with Workday Adaptive Planning.

Selecting the Right Implementation Partner for Success with Workday Adaptive Planning

April 9, 2025 by Revelwood

Implementing a Workday Adaptive Planning environment can be the start of a transformative journey for the Office of Finance. Choosing the right implementation partner is as critical as selecting the software itself.

Meet Your Team: Why Face-to-Face Interaction Matters

One of the most effective ways to evaluate a potential implementation partner is to meet their consultants face-to-face (or via Zoom!), ideally during the selection process. These consultants will be responsible for guiding your organization through a significant transformation, so it’s crucial to understand their experience, approach, and how they align with your company’s culture.

Request meetings with the actual delivery team members rather than just sales representatives. This will give you a clearer view of who will be working with you day-to-day throughout the design and implementation phases. You should try to get an understanding of the experience levels of the people you will be working with. Ask about the individual strengths of the team members. This can provide invaluable insights into the partner’s ability to understand your goals and translate them into a successful Workday Adaptive Planning implementation.

Ask the Tough Questions: Beyond the Basics

Choosing the right partner goes beyond just checking credentials and past projects. Ask questions that will give you a deeper understanding of their capabilities. Assessing their Workday Adaptive Planning knowledge is a must, but it’s equally important to explore their problem-solving skills and project management approach. How do they handle unexpected challenges? How proactive are they in mitigating risks and adapting to changes? Do they offer ongoing support after the initial implementation?

The answers to these questions will give you a sense of their readiness to handle the complexities and uniqueness of your project. A good partner should be able to anticipate and address issues that might arise, and they should have a structured yet flexible approach to achieving your objectives.

Trust Your Instincts with the Right Partner

Another critical factor is how well the partner’s team communicates with you during the selection phase. Are they responsive, transparent and professional? These qualities are often indicators of how they’ll operate once the project begins. Choose a team that communicates clearly, listens actively and demonstrates a genuine commitment to your project’s success. How invested are they in your success?

If there’s a natural rapport and an ease of communication, it’s a good sign that you’ll be able to work together effectively. On the other hand, if interactions feel strained or overly formal, it might signal challenges down the road.

Maximizing Your Opportunities for Success

Implementing a Financial Planning and Reporting system requires a substantial commitment of time and resources. By actively leading the selection process for your implementation partner, you establish a solid foundation for a productive collaboration and a smoother, more efficient project rollout. When you invest the time to carefully select the right partner, you’ll be well-prepared to manage the complexities of design and implementation and succeed with confidence.

Revelwood is an award-winning, Platinum Solution Partner for Workday Adaptive Planning. We’ve worked with Workday customers of all sizes, in every industry. Learn more about our Workday Adaptive Planning practice.

Cube Sheet Restrictions in Workday Adaptive Planning

April 2, 2025 by Cameron Burke

Cube sheets in Workday Adaptive Planning often include a wide range of filters such as dimensions, accounts, attributes, and others. However, not all options under each filter are relevant for every model. By taking advantage of the cube sheet restrictions feature in Workday Adaptive Planning, you can hide or limit unnecessary filters, simplifying the sheet and improving usability.

The restrictions function offers powerful customization options. Users can configure a sheet to display different accounts for the actuals version versus the forecast version, specify accounts tied to specific dimension values, filter accounts to appear at different levels, and more. This flexibility helps tailor cube sheets to your needs while keeping them efficient.

It’s important to note that cube sheets have a 15,000-row limit. Using restrictions to limit intersections on the sheet prevents unnecessary rows, ensuring optimal performance and maintaining clarity in your data.

How To Add Cube Sheet Restrictions

1. Go to Modeling -> Level assigned or user assigned sheets -> Select the cube sheet you want to add restrictions to.

2. Click Restrictions

3. Click Add New

There are two elements of a cube sheet restriction. The first is selecting what dimension determines what you want to restrict and the second is what dimension will be restricted.

In this example, if you create a Level/Site-Dimension restriction, you can specify which sites to be able to select for any given set of levels.

Here, I am checking off just Sites 1, 2, and 3 to be shown for the Operations level.

For the Marketing level, I want sites 4, 5, and 6 to show, but not 1-3 or 7-9. Click the save icon in the top left corner.

Now, when I filter this cube sheet by the Operations level, only sites 1-3 are available to select from the dropdown. When I go to the Marketing level, only sites 4-6 are available.

IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks: Application Websheet Folders

March 18, 2025 by Lee Lazarow

As you migrate from IBM Planning Analytics’ TM1Web to Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW), you may be asking yourself if you can still create folders to organize your websheets. The answer is yes!

Name change

Planning Analytics no longer refers to the folders as “Applications” since PAW applications have a different meaning. PAW now refers to the folders as “Websheets.”

Where to create and configure the folders

The folder creation and configuration is done with the Planning Analytics for Excel (PAfE) environment by using the same concepts as websheet creation:

Go to the “Open” icon (next to the Publish icon)

Create the new folder

Once created, right-click on the folder to toggle between private and public (note: it will initially be set to private)

This approach will allow you to continue to group your websheets into an easy-to-use arrangement for your end users.

Revelwood is an IBM Gold Business Partner with 25+ years of experience designing, developing, implementing and maintaining IBM Planning Analytics environments. Revelwood has helped clients in all sizes across all industries optimize and grow their use of Planning Analytics. Revelwood’s Planning Analytics team consists of experienced PA experts, including a multi-year IBM Champion.

Stay up to date with PA – sign up for our weekly Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and join our IBM Planning Analytics All-Stars group on LinkedIn.

Workday Adaptive Planning Tips & Tricks: Machine Learning Predictive Forecaster: Lever Sheets

March 12, 2025 by Thomas McDade

The machine learning predictive forecaster in Workday Adaptive Planning allows users to leverage machine learning to make predictions for financial planning and analysis. After setting up the initial requirements for a predictive forecaster, including name, sheet, forecast version, start period, end period, accounts, reference data and algorithm users may choose to add a lever modeled sheet to enhance the prediction.

Step 1: Understanding Lever Sheets

First determine the forecast sheet to use. Next review the levels, accounts, and dimensions of the forecast sheet that will be incorporated into the lever sheet. Identify the smallest timer period represented by the forecast sheet.

Lever sheets are designed to hold regressor data that influences the machine learning forecasts. These sheets can be used only with specific algorithms and the values that are inputted into a lever sheet directly impact the algorithm;s calculation, which is reflected in the forecast sheet.

Step 2: Create Lever Sheet

Navigate to Modeling > Level Assigned Sheets > New Sheet > Modeled Sheet (blank modeled sheet)

Under Columns and Levels add in a field called Account as a text field. You can also add in dimensions if those dimensions exist on the forecast sheet. Next, drag the timespan into the last row. Lastly, choose settings under sheet properties and select the time stratum with the smallest time period.

Step 3: Entering Data

Lever sheets contain data that influence the machine learning forecasts for a specific sheet. The values entered in the lever sheet modify the algorithm’s calculations by levels, account, time period, and dimensions (if applicable). Choose the sheet used for levers and make sure the same version as the forecasted data is selected. Next choose add row and enter account, level, and dimension. Repeat to add all necessary rows. Enter data in the timer periods between start and end. Save the sheet.

When creating the predictive forecaster make sure to select the lever sheet that aligns with your forecast. Only the algorithms AutoFit, Orbit DLT, and Prophet allow lever sheets to be added. This additional sheet can help users create an even more fine tuned prediction for data on standard or cube sheets.

The Hidden Value of Strategic Planning: Gaining Operational Efficiencies

January 16, 2025 by Simon Foley

Effective financial planning and analysis (FP&A) is a cornerstone for any business looking to navigate uncertainties and capitalise on new opportunities. However, inefficiencies stemming from outdated processes and disconnected systems often prevent organisations from fully realising the potential of their planning efforts.

The Challenge of Operational Inefficiencies

Many organisations rely heavily on manual processes and outdated spreadsheet models, leading to several issues:

Time-Intensive Data Management: Manual effort to import and cleanse data from diverse source systems diverts focus from higher value activities and usually limits the timeliness and granularity of information available for planning.
Rigid and Error-Prone Models: Spreadsheet planning models require large amounts of ongoing manual updates with a high risk of broken links and formulas, hindering adaptability to business changes.
Collaboration Bottlenecks: Stakeholders from different parts of the organization struggle with aligning inputs and assumptions, causing delays and errors.
Ineffective Reporting: The burden on finance teams to generate and distribute reports on behalf of the wider business, limits the agility of performance analysis.

These inefficiencies not only drain resources but also reduce the strategic value of planning processes.

Embracing Modern Solutions

Cloud-based planning systems, like Workday Adaptive Planning, address these pain points by automating and streamlining processes. Here’s how:

Automated Data Integration: Integration tools pull data automatically from various systems, ensuring consistent and timely inputs without manual intervention. This improves data accuracy, granularity, and the ability to refresh models more frequently.
Flexible and Scalable Models: Modern systems allow automatic updates when new dimensions (e.g., new customers, new products, new business units) are added. This reduces the risk of errors and enables scenario planning in real-time.
Real-Time Collaboration: Stakeholders can work concurrently on shared models with controlled access, with key assumptions shared across the business. Automated workflows and audit trails simplify tracking and approval, fostering alignment across departments.
Dynamic Reporting and Analysis: Self-service tools empower users to create and explore reports without relying on finance teams. Features like drill-downs and dynamic dashboards enhance insight and transparency.

Benefits of Modernising FP&A

By addressing inefficiencies, businesses can unlock significant value:

Increased Planning Agility: More frequent and dynamic planning cycles enable better responses to market changes.
Improved Decision-Making: Enhanced collaboration and timely insights ensure decisions are based on the latest, most accurate data.
Greater Strategic Focus: Automating low-value tasks allows FP&A teams to focus on insights and driving actions.

A New Paradigm for Planning

As Dwight D. Eisenhower wisely said, “Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” Rather than simply generating a new budget or forecast, the planning process fosters collaboration, encourages forward-thinking, and aligns stakeholders with strategic goals. Modernising this process through advanced planning solutions empowers organisations to thrive in a fast-changing business environment.

Learn more about gaining operational efficiency by embracing strategic planning. Download the white paper, Removing Operational Inefficiencies to Unlock the Value of Planning.

IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks: VSTACK_HSTACK

July 30, 2024 by Ivan Cepero

In a previous blog, I wrote about the ability to convert a list into a set of smaller lists (create a link to the WRAPCOLS blog). But what if you wanted to do the opposite? What if you wanted to merge a set of smaller ranges into a single range? Excel’s VSTACK and HSTACK formulas are an easy way to combine several non-contiguous ranges into one range.

The syntax of the VSTACK formula is:

=VSTACK(array1,array2,…)

Each array parameter represents a range to be stacked

Using the following data as an example:

A screenshot of a computer

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We can stack both ranges on top of each other using the following formula:

=VSTACK(A1:D4,A9:D11)

A screenshot of a data

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This example was relatively simple since both ranges have the same number of columns. However, if one range has less columns then each cell mismatch will generate an error. For example, taking all three columns of the first data set but only two columns from the second data set will generate this result:

=VSTACK(A1:D4,A9:B11)

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We can remove the errors by nesting the VSTACK within an IFERROR formula:

=IFERROR(VSTACK(A1:D4,A9:B11),””)

We can also use the HSTACK formula if you prefer to append your data horizontally instead of vertically.

To combine both these tables into one table, this HSTACK formula will do the trick:

=HSTACK(A1:D4,G1:I4)

IBM Planning Analytics, which TM1 is the engine for, is full of new features and functionality. Not sure where to start? Our team here at Revelwood can help. Contact us for more information at info@revelwood.com. And stay tuned for more Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks weekly in our Knowledge Center and in upcoming newsletters!

Workday Adaptive Planning Tips & Tricks: Capital Summary Sheet – New & Existing Depreciation

May 29, 2024 by Revelwood

The capital summary sheet provides a snapshot of an organization’s capital assets and their depreciation with an overview of CapEx by asset type and level. This sheet allows the user to see the total depreciation, which is broken down by new depreciation and existing depreciation, as well as fixed assets.

New Depreciation gives us the monthly depreciation of all the new budgeted assets for the new budget period by month. This comes from the Capital sheet via a linked account to carry dimensionality.

Existing Depreciation covers assets that were acquired prior to the current planning version and are actively depreciating. This information can be taken from a depreciation schedule directly from the ERP system or imported into a separate supporting schedule within Workday Adaptive Planning.

Fixed Assets are the new assets that are purchased in the given period and the purchase value that will be capitalized and depreciated. This also comes from the Capital sheet via a linked account to carry dimensionality.

IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks: PAW Border Lines

May 21, 2024 by Lee Lazarow

The great thing about explorations is that data appears in a simple grid-like format. This allows you to easily look at your data in an easy-to-read format that is similar to an Excel spreadsheet.

In the example below, it’s easy for your eyes to move up and down to see the expenses and then move left and right to see the departments. And since each data point is within its own box, it’s easy for your eyes to know when to stop.

However, the use of boxes for the data also puts boxes in the headers. For some people, the lack of symmetry does not matter. But for those who do not like this look, you can turn off all border lines via a single click within the “Custom” properties of an exploration:

Disabling the border will convert the example above into a display with no lines in either the data or the headers.

A screenshot of a graph

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Once completed, you can also set the formatting to shade every other line using an approach called “Zebra Strips”.

Planning & Forecasting

Excel’s MIN and MAX Functions

Syntax and Usage

Examples

Syntax and Usage

Workday Adaptive Planning’s “Least” and “Greatest” Functions

Syntax and Usage

Examples

Key Features

Read more Workday Adaptive Planning Tips & Tricks:

Meet Your Team: Why Face-to-Face Interaction Matters

Ask the Tough Questions: Beyond the Basics

Trust Your Instincts with the Right Partner

Maximizing Your Opportunities for Success

How To Add Cube Sheet Restrictions

Read more Workday Adaptive Planning Tips & Tricks:

Name change

Where to create and configure the folders

Read more IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks:

Step 1: Understanding Lever Sheets

Step 2: Create Lever Sheet

Step 3: Entering Data

Read more Workday Adaptive Planning Tips & Tricks:

The Challenge of Operational Inefficiencies

Embracing Modern Solutions

Benefits of Modernising FP&A

A New Paradigm for Planning

Read more IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks:

Read more Workday Adaptive Planning Tips & Tricks:

Read more IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks:

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