Create row model templates

This article explains how to create templates and use them for your row model.

A template is a predefined layout of rows that can be used to build models with repetitive structures. You create the template once based on your requirements and reuse it multiple times across the model.

For example, a template such as Net Profit can be created once and then applied across different product categories to maintain a consistent structure. A sample scenario is illustrated in the following image:

Benefits of creating a template#

Creating a template lets you define a reusable row structure once and apply it wherever the same structure is needed in a model. This is useful when your model contains repeated structures across categories, companies, departments, or other dimensions.

Use templates to:

• Reuse row structures: Create a predefined set of rows once and apply it to multiple parts of the model instead of rebuilding the same structure repeatedly.
• Manage repeated structures centrally: Edit, duplicate, or delete only the templates as your model requirements change, without manually finding and altering the structure throughout the model.
• Maintain consistency: Use the same hierarchy and line-item structure across different categories or entities.
• Build models efficiently: Create a template as a reusable subset or mini model and insert it across your model wherever required.
• Append or Replace: Insert a template by either appending it to the existing model or replacing the existing model structure with the template structure.

Sample scenario #

This article uses the following planning sheet as an example. The planning sheet is configured with Region and Chart of Accounts as row dimensions, Year, Quarter, and Month in the Columns field, and Actuals in the Values field.

This article walks you through creating a row model where you create a template to define the row model structure and insert the template for different regions.

Enable model builder#

The first step is to start building the row model using the Model Builder.

1. Select Row Model under the Model tab. The Model Builder pop-up opens. Select Enable.

2. This action enables Model Builder. You can select Back to Home to save the report and return to this screen by selecting Row Model again.

The model builder displays each row as a configurable driver for both open and closed periods, enabling you to build row-based models.

Create a template#

This model contains repeated line items for different regions. Create a template that defines the required row structure and reuse it for each region. In this example, the template groups revenue and expenses and calculates Net Profit.

Net Profit
    Revenue
    Expenses
        Advertising & Promotions
        Purchase
        Rent & Utilities
        Salaries
        Transportation

1. Select the row where you want to insert the template, and then select Insert Template. This action creates a new template that you can configure.

2. Begin building the template as you would create a row model. Rename the template name and the top row by double-clicking Template(1) and updating the name.

3. Select the Net Profit row and then select Bulk Insert. In the side panel, enter the row structure you want to add. Use Tab to add a row as a child at the next hierarchy level.

4. Select Add. The template structure is created as shown in the following image.

Configure the template rows#

Configure the template's rows like you configure a row model.

1. Configure all leaf rows to Data Source type and link them to their corresponding source rows.

2. Set the Desired Trend. For Revenue, use Increase and for all child rows under Expenses, use Decrease.
3. For Expenses, use Aggregate and Sum to add all its child rows.
4. For Net Profit, use Aggregate and then choose Subtract since, Net Profit = Revenue - Expenses.

The template is complete.

Ways to insert template#

You can insert a template into the model using either of the following options:

• Append: Inserts the template row structure into the model as it is, without modifying the existing model structure.

• Replace: Replaces the existing model structure with the template's row structure.

Use Replace for this example to replace the existing structure with the template structure for every region.

Apply template to the model#

If you choose Replace, the template is applied to the model as shown in the following image.

You can't edit the template directly from the model. Instead, select Manage Template to edit the template and modify the row structure.

You can create multiple templates for a model and apply them wherever required.

The row model in the planning sheet looks as below with a consistent structure for all regions.

Set Conditions#

You can use Set Conditions to insert the template at only specific levels in the model based on filters or set criteria.

1. Go to the Row Model window and open the templates section by selecting Manage Template.
2. Select Set Conditions.

3. There are two options to set conditions: Simple and Advanced.

• Simple: Choose the specific categories or levels where the template must be inserted. Use Search to find any level. This option is ideal for straightforward selection scenarios where no complex logic or grouping is required.

The following image shows Asia cleared. On selecting Apply, the template gets applied to all regions except Asia.

The following image shows another example with two row dimensions in the planning sheet. You can select or clear the levels or categories where you want to apply the template.

• Advanced: Select Advanced to define complex rules for applying templates by combining multiple filters and groups.

In this mode, you can:

• Add multiple filters using Add filter.
• Group filters using logical operators such as AND and OR
• Create nested groups to build multi-level conditions using Add group.

Each group can have its own AND/OR logic, allowing you to control how conditions are evaluated. For example:

• The top-level group may use OR to apply the template if any condition is met.
• A nested group can use AND to ensure all conditions within that group are satisfied.

This example means:

• Apply a template when Region is Asia OR Channel_Name contains In.
• Additionally, apply it for a specific group where Region is Europe AND Channel_Name does not begin with E.

4. Select Apply to apply the filters. The template is applied only to the levels that meet the specified filter conditions.

Manage templates #

Select Manage Template to edit, duplicate, or delete templates.

Select the template that you want to modify from the list of available templates in the dropdown. Then choose the appropriate action icon to perform the required operation.

• Select the Add icon to create a new blank template.
• Select the Duplicate icon to create a copy of the selected template.
• Select the Delete icon to delete the template.