IBM Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel (PAfE) brings the capabilities of IBM Planning Analytics directly into Microsoft Excel.
It allows you to explore and analyse Planning Analytics data, build reports, update plans and forecasts, and write data back to the database, all while working within the familiar Excel interface.
What can you do with Planning Analytics for Excel? #
PAfE connects Excel directly to your Planning Analytics data, giving you the flexibility of Excel without relying on disconnected spreadsheets.
With PAfE, you can:
- Work with live Planning Analytics data directly within Microsoft Excel.
- Explore and analyse data held within Planning Analytics cubes.
- Slice, dice and nest data across rows and columns to explore information from different perspectives.
- Enter and update data directly in the Planning Analytics database, including multi-cell copy and paste.
- Use Excel formulas alongside Planning Analytics data and functionality.
- Build dynamic reports that update as the underlying data changes.
- Publish Excel reports to Planning Analytics Workspace, where they can be combined with other content and visualisations.
What types of reports can you create in PAfE? #
Planning Analytics for Excel provides different reporting options depending on how you want to work with your data.
These include Explorations, Quick Reports, Dynamic Reports, Custom Reports and Universal Reports.
Universal Reports provide a flexible, hierarchy-aware reporting option and combine capabilities from several of the established PAfE reporting approaches.
The right report type will depend on how much flexibility you need, how the report will be used and whether users need to interact with or update the underlying data.
Is Planning Analytics for Excel the same as Excel? #
No. PAfE doesn’t replace Microsoft Excel. Instead, it adds Planning Analytics functionality to Excel.
A traditional Excel spreadsheet may contain data stored directly within the workbook. With PAfE, Excel can connect to data held centrally within Planning Analytics.
This means users can continue working with a familiar Excel interface while accessing controlled, centralised business data rather than relying on multiple disconnected spreadsheet versions.
Can you enter data into Planning Analytics using Excel? #
Yes. PAfE isn’t limited to viewing and reporting on data.
Users with the appropriate permissions can write data directly back to the Planning Analytics database. This makes PAfE useful for processes such as budgeting, forecasting and planning, where users need to both review existing information and submit new figures.
Can PAfE reports be used in Planning Analytics Workspace? #
Yes. Excel-based reports can be published to Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) as websheets.
This allows reports originally created in Excel to be accessed through the web and incorporated alongside other Planning Analytics content, including dashboards and visualisations.
Do I need Planning Analytics to use PAfE? #
Yes. Planning Analytics for Excel is an interface for working with data held within an IBM Planning Analytics system. It isn’t a standalone planning or reporting product.
Have more questions about Planning Analytics for Excel? #
Whether you’re already using PAfE or want to understand how it could support your reporting, planning and forecasting processes, we’re happy to help.
Contact Aramar with your Planning Analytics questions.
