Skip to main content

Workbooks

A workbook is a spreadsheet built inside SEI that connects directly to your data models. It uses a familiar spreadsheet interface with formulas, pivot tables, slicers, sparklines, and formatting, combined with SEI specific features like data extractions, the formulas, and automatic data refresh. Everything you build in a workbook stays connected to your data sources, so your reports update without manual rework.

Workbooks are typically used for structured financial reporting (balance sheets, profit and loss statements, cash flow), but they work for any scenario where you need to pull data from a data model into a spreadsheet layout and control exactly how it's presented.

When to use workbooks​

  • Build structured financial reports like balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow statements with drill down support.
  • Create custom report layouts by combining data extractions, formulas, and pivot tables in a single sheet.
  • Automate recurring reports by connecting to live data and refreshing without rebuilding the layout each time.
  • Add interactivity with slicers, dropdowns, and cell controls so users can filter and explore data directly in the sheet.

Wizards, tools, and controls​

Workbooks include three categories of features. Wizards walk you through generating content from your data models, like extractions, pivot tables, and formulas. Tools handle display and formatting options within the sheet. Controls add interactive elements like slicers, dropdowns, and sparklines that users can interact with directly.

FunctionsReference global variables or selection pages in formulas.
Hide ZeroHide rows and columns that contain only zeros.
Data Extraction WizardExtract data from a data model into a structured table.
Drill Down WizardView detailed data behind a formula or extraction value.
Pivot WizardGenerate pivot tables from data model fields.
Formula WizardGenerate NECFORMULA functions that pull values from a data model.
DuplicatorCreate copies of a sheet based on a list of values.
SlicersInsert interactive buttons to filter tables visually.
Cell TypesAdd buttons, checkboxes, and other cell elements.
Cell DropdownsAdd calculators, lists, date pickers, and more to cells.
SparklinesInsert small inline charts inside cells.
Shortcut KeysKeyboard shortcuts for common workbook actions.

Limitations​

There are a few things to keep in mind when working with workbooks. If you're also using the Excel Add in, the two tools have different capabilities and limitations worth understanding before choosing one over the other.

  • Date filters in the Formula Wizard must use the yyyy-mm-dd format unless the value comes from a cell reference.
  • Filtering on measure fields may slow down performance on large datasets.
  • Export Templates require at least one data model to be selected if the workbook contains no formulas.
  • SQL queries have a 5 minute timeout and a 500,000 row limit. Formulas that exceed either will fail.
  • New global variables only appear in the Functions tool after logging out and back in.