January Q&A Challenge — share your reflections for a chance to win!

In the Anaplan Community, we believe that growth comes from connecting, collaborating, and sharing knowledge. Every day we see our members coming together to share ideas, solve problems, and support one another in forum discussions, blog posts, and beyond. As we start the new year, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the amazing milestones we achieved in 2024 and continue to celebrate the incredible contributions of our Community members.

This past November, the Anaplan Community reached a major milestone: 100,000 members! This accomplishment reflects the energy, growth, and dedication of everyone here. Let’s keep that momentum going in 2025 as we look back on our favorite features from the past year and recognize the individuals who have made a difference.

Introducing our January Reflection & Appreciation Q&A Challenge! This challenge is your chance to look back on 2024 and share your favorite feature, while also taking a moment to recognize a fellow Community member who has made an impact on you.

Questions for the Q&A Challenge:

What was your favorite Anaplan feature released in 2024 and why? Please keep your response focused on one feature.
Nominate a fellow Community member you want to recognize — whether for solving a tough issue or offering support or knowledge in the Community, we want to hear who has made an impact on you!

We can’t wait to hear your reflections and see your nominations!

How to participate:

The challenge begins on January 7, 2025 and concludes January 20, 2025.
Provide a response to the Q&A Challenge questions by commenting below: 1) What was your favorite Anaplan feature released in 2024 and why, 2) Nominate a fellow Community member you want to recognize — whether for solving a tough issue or offering support in the Community.

What’s in it for you?

Community badge: All Community members who contribute a response will receive a special participant badge to highlight your involvement.
Community swag: Participants will have a chance to win a fun Community water bottle not only for themselves but also for the Community member they nominate!

Community swag winners:

For those who participate in this Challenge, we’ll be randomly selecting multiple participants and their nominations to receive a Community water bottle. Those who get selected will hear from our team by the end of the month.

Are you ready to reflect on the past year and show your appreciation for your peers? We hope you’ll participate in the January Reflection & Appreciation Q&A Challenge by commenting below and supporting your favorite nominations. Let’s continue building on the positive energy and growth in our Community!

For a full outline of our challenge rules and restrictions, read our full Terms & Conditions here.

Comments

Puneeth H P

Hello Community,
I wish you all a Happy New Year.

I have mentioned so many times that NUX functionalities has come up a long way; the feature & flexibility it is offering for us to build and showcase it to users, and benefits that users are getting from these features are high. I'm so glad to be able to use most of the recent features that NUX has offered.
But my favorite feature which we got is Anaplan Workflow and it is obvious. Because it has given an upper hand for the users to get to know their responsibilities in the process flow. I remember building a huge functionality just to provide approvals capabilities for the users in their business process time to time. It would've been much easier and efficient if I had this workflow feature there in Anaplan :D.
I would like to nominate @Pooja for her immense support in solving complex problem statements, sharing her views and helping me providing the better Output for the users.

Happy Planning :)

Thanks,
Puneeth HP

matthewreed

My favourite feature for 24' is a golden oldie back from January, and an example that it's the 'little things' that can make a big difference. Action Button Icon Alignment might sound simple to some, but the amount of queries I had from users when navigating dashboards was greatly reduced by the simple relocation of an arrow icon on my nav buttons. So while this is a 'little thing', it's easily my favourite change from the year!

My shoutout goes to @jan_sypkens for always keeping me up to date over with the new and fancy things that are coming to the platform, and dealing with my random questions.

Happy New Year all & all the best for 2025.

seymatas1

Hello Anaplan Community,

My favorite release of 2024 is Hierarchy Cards. They have made communication easier, especially in the foundation phase of the projects while determining hierarchies. They offer a lot of flexibility for demonstration purposes.

A big shoutout to @muratakkas for always being willing to help.

Wishing everyone a successful and joyful 2025!

Seyma Tas🌷🙂

SIVAPRASADPERAM

My favourite feature for 24' is ADO is probably the biggest update of 2024. With this tool, solution architects and model builders can re-visualize the data foundations behind almost every model and transform it into a more user-friendly and intuitive data management tool without the need to design and build a model specifically to house data.Key advantages to using ADO include: the ability to validate and transform form data, more efficient storage of data, flow of data, and the reduced need for experienced model builders to set up and maintain data in ADO. ADO provides a centralized hub for data management, eliminating the need for manual processes and reducing errors. Its user-friendly interface enables seamless collaboration among data analysts and business users.

ADO Can be used for both inbound and outbound integrations between Anaplan to External systems.

A big thanks to @manchiravi for support and helping me to providing the better Output for the users.

Salini

My favorite Anaplan feature released in 2024 is the Anaplan Data Orchestrator (ADO). The ADO has revolutionized the way we manage and integrate data by simplifying and accelerating the entire process. The ability to connect seamlessly with third-party applications using a no-code interface is a game-changer, especially for someone like me who values efficiency in data integration.

What I find particularly valuable is the ability to store source data in a centralized location, which eliminates redundancy and ensures consistency when distributing data across multiple models. Transformations within ADO are intuitive, reusable, and automated, saving significant time while preparing data for Anaplan models. The visual data lineage feature is another standout—it offers a clear, end-to-end map of the data journey from source to Anaplan, including all transformations. This not only enhances transparency but also makes troubleshooting and optimization much easier. Overall, ADO empowers users to streamline complex data workflows, enabling faster and more reliable decision-making within the Anaplan ecosystem. I would like to nominate @Taryn for sharing her views.

Tiffany.Rice

Picking your favorite feature feels a little like picking your favorite child!

If I had to choose one, it was great to see User List enhancements raised through the Community Idea Exchange come to reality! While maybe not an earth shattering change, the ability to assign top levels and subsets on the https://help.anaplan.com/users-list-f3333ecf-a1cc-43d8-af03-ec65c5cdd428 helps avoid the need for workarounds to support user centric needs.

I'd like to recognize @seymatas1 who has been a rock star enabling other members of our Community! Thank you Seyma for all the brilliant suggestions and the time you have put in to provide precise instructions including amazing screenshots to help explain!

Prajjwal88

Hello Community,

Picking a favorite feature from 2024 is no small task, but one that truly stood out for me was the ability to reorder categories and pages in the NUX app. This small yet impactful update has significantly reduced the manual effort required for organizing pages. Previously, we had to rely on alphanumeric naming conventions to sequence pages, which was both time-consuming and unintuitive. Now, with the simple drag-and-drop functionality, we can effortlessly rearrange pages to suit user needs without unnecessary sequencing. It’s a subtle enhancement, but one that brings a cleaner, more user-friendly presentation to our apps—definitely a game-changer for builders and end users alike!

My shoutout goes to @Dikshant for his functionality-focused answers, which are always insightful and practical, making a significant impact by solving complex issues.

alexpavel

One of the most noteworthy advancements in the Anaplan ecosystem in 2024 was the introduction of ADO (Anaplan Data Orchestrator).

Beyond the obvious benefits of enhanced direct integrations with various sources and data transformation capabilities, I’d like to highlight three smaller yet significant challenges that ADO effectively addressed

1. Data sources often contain duplicate rows, which was always challenging. It was always a pain if a file contained duplicated rows and if was needed to make additional transformations in Anaplan before updating the final destination objects (list, modules). With ADO, all rows are imported as they are, and any necessary transformations for Anaplan's final objects (lists or modules) can be performed directly after the import in ADO.

2. In ADO there is HASH function that transforms any combination/concatenation of columns in a consistent Key that does not exceed 60 characters. This is very helpful as the concatenated key needed in Anaplan could often exceed 60 characters. This is a very simple way to solve this challenge.

3. The inclusion of the CURRENTTIMESTAMP and CURRENTDATE functions in ADO addresses the need to have the exact current date or timestamp within an Anaplan model, eliminating the necessity of developing external scripts for this purpose.

My shoutout goes to @KirillKuznetsov for keeping us informed with the new features using all channels 😊.

AdamSayyad

Hello Community,

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

ADO is likely the biggest update of 2024, and it’s my favourite feature. I have completed six out of nine lessons in the Anaplan Data Orchestrator (ADO) course. Unfortunately, due to access restrictions, I could not complete hands-on practice, but I believe it will be a game changer.

I would like to nominate @rob_marshall, @Arnab116 , @Dikshant and @PulkitChawla for offering their support.

Regards,
Adam S.

Dikshant

Favorite Anaplan feature released in 2024

I firmly believe that small things can create a big impact. This is a great opportunity to highlight features that may seem small but have created a big impact in my opinion.

Commenting on worksheet pages
Conditional navigation actions
End user Show/Hide enhancements
Top-level and subsets for the users list
Dynamic bulk copy action
Reordering categories and pages in an app
Manage Access page has been updated to be more intuitive
Role-based landing pages
Model switch update: The selected model in pages that support multiple models is now persisted when you navigate across pages
Restore a deleted App page
Fine Grain History Search

I would like to nominate @AryaGupta098

bhatjaved

I would add a few that I liked as part of the 2024 release .

Security Enhancement:

Font Color Conditional Formatting:

Reordering Categories and Pages:

Commenting on Worksheet Pages:

Function Flexibility in Polaris

Nominating @Misbah for his support and guidance throughout

TristanS

My favourite releases has to be

Context-shifting functions over non-Time dimensions - You can use Previous, Next, Offset functions on non Time dimensions now. Only on Polaris though
ADO
The continuous incremental updates to the Formula editor that seems to fail being called out in the release notes sometimes

PulkitChawla

Happy New Year Anaplanners,

My favorite release of 2024 includes ADO (Anaplan Data Orchestrator) and User List Enhancement. The release of ADO has significantly improved the efficiency of data storage and flow for model builders, removing the dependency on the Data Integration team to run specific jobs via integration tools.

The User List Enhancement release has addressed the issues model builders faced with assigning top levels and subsets, eliminating the need for workarounds such as creating fake user lists.

I would like to nominate @rob_marshall, whose comments provide the best possible solutions and inspire other model builders to learn from him.

I look forward to seeing many enhancements from Anaplan in 2025 that will positively impact model builders worldwide.

Amaya

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to reflect on 2024!

I'm particularly grateful for the Japanese platform localization announced at the Tokyo event. As a user based in Japan, this update has made Anaplan more accessible to our entire team. We really appreciate Anaplan's investment in the Japanese market - it demonstrates their commitment to supporting users worldwide. On behalf of the Japanese user community, thank you for this significant step forward.
We look forward to growing together with Anaplan in Japan!
I would like to nominate @HiroyukiK and their colleagues for their outstanding dedication to growing our Japanese Anaplan community. While our Japanese community is still smaller compared to English-speaking regions, we've made significant progress in 2024 through two major user meetups that strengthened connections between Japanese users. These community events, carefully organized by our Customer Success team, have created valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking among Japanese Anaplan users.
As a community leader in Japan, I'm excited to continue working with the team to foster our growing community throughout 2025!

Navink

Hello Anaplanners

Thank you for the opportunity, what else could be the best way to start the New Year.

Speaking about the best releases in 2024,

I am mostly focused on data integration - Anaplan Data Orchestrator.
But "backend" is not everything — there is so much more that came this year to New UX, I still need to experiment more. So, Hierarchy Chart and Workflow.
And also, Fluence XL !!

Looking forward for many more enhancements from Anaplan in 2025

Thanks

jziemer

Happy New Year!

My favorite new release for 2024 is the ability for a user to kick off a Workflow from a page (vs. having to have access and get into the Workflow admin page to kick it off). This change made it much more likely that users will adapt to using workflow to improve efficiency. User list sub setting is also a massive improvement. I don't have access to ADO, but it looks like a huge win as well.

I would like to nominate @rob_marshall for his amazing ability to come up with a solution to just about anything Anaplan, his ability to make complicated things easy to understand, and for adding a huge does of humor during stressful situations.

Thanks to the entire Product team for continuously making meaningful improvements to the platform.

Here is to many more improved functionality releases in 2025! Cheers!

SaiPrasanthK

Hi Team, in my opinion, Anaplan Workflow is the most impactful feature released in 2024.

Here's why:

* Streamlined Processes: Workflow automates complex business processes, significantly reducing manual effort and eliminating bottlenecks. We've seen a dramatic improvement in the efficiency of our financial close process, with automated journal entries and reconciliations accelerating the entire cycle.

* Enhanced Collaboration: Workflow fosters seamless collaboration across departments. By clearly defining roles and responsibilities within the workflow, we've improved communication and ensured everyone is aligned on key objectives.

* Increased Accuracy: Automation minimizes human error, leading to more accurate and reliable results. This is particularly valuable for critical processes like financial forecasting and supply chain management.

* Improved Decision-Making: Workflow provides real-time visibility into the progress of key initiatives. This allows us to proactively identify and address potential roadblocks, enabling faster and more informed decision-making.

Specific Example:

Before Workflow, our S&OP process was a cumbersome manual affair, involving numerous emails, spreadsheets, and meetings. With Workflow, we've automated key steps like demand forecasting, inventory planning, and production scheduling. This has resulted in:

* Reduced cycle time: The entire S&OP process is now completed much faster, allowing us to respond more quickly to market changes.

* Improved forecast accuracy: Automated data analysis and scenario planning have led to more accurate demand forecasts, minimizing stockouts and overstocking.

* Enhanced collaboration: All stakeholders are now connected within the workflow, ensuring everyone is aligned on the plan and any necessary adjustments are made quickly.

In conclusion, Anaplan Workflow has been a game-changer for our organization. By automating key processes, improving collaboration, and enhancing accuracy, it has delivered significant value and positioned us for continued success.

I would like to nominate @CLAKSHMIGAYATHRI for her amazing ability to come up with new ideas.

Thanks to the entire Product team for continuously making meaningful improvements to the platform.

I look forward to seeing many enhancements from Anaplan in 2025 that will positively impact model builders worldwide.

SriNitya

My Favorite 2024 Releases

Font Colour Conditional Formatting
Anaplan Data Orchestrator- ADO
Role based Page Access
Role based Landing Dashboards

I will nominate @KirillKuznetsov for keeping us informed with the new features.

muratakkas

Hello Anaplan Community,

As we reflect on the incredible features introduced in 2024, I’d like to highlight two that have had the greatest impact: Hierarchy Cards and Anaplan Data Orchestrator (ADO).

The Hierarchy Cards have simplified the way we visualize and communicate complex hierarchies. It will be much easier to present and understand structures via the Hierarchy Cards. I’m already seeing how these cards will significantly streamline future implementations.

On the other hand, ADO is a truly been a game-changer set to completely transform our approach to data management and integration. With its intuitive interface and robust capabilities, ADO will undoubtedly remove much of the complexity from data orchestration. Its ability to manage data flows more efficiently and integrate seamlessly with third-party applications will have a major impact on our implementations.

Both of these features have already elevated our work, and I’m excited to see how they continue to evolve! A huge shout-out to the Anaplan team for these impactful releases—your innovation is making a real difference! 👏

I’d also like to take a moment to recognize @rob_marshall, @JaredDolich, @Misbah, and @seymatas1 for their outstanding contributions to the community. Whether it’s troubleshooting complex issues or sharing thoughtful solutions, their expertise and willingness to help others have made a lasting impact. A big thank you to them for consistently raising the bar and for being incredible sources of support and inspiration to the Anaplan community! 🏆️

Happy Planning!

Thanks,

Murat

M.Kierepka

In my opinion, the best release in the Anaplan ecosystem in the past year was the public rollout of Anaplan Data Orchestrator.

ADO allows our clients to integrate easily with various data sources (with more hopefully coming soon!), and then to transform this data in a way that is most suitable to use in Anaplan models — without all the workarounds and complications of Data Hub.

One of the best features in ADO is pushing the lists and metadata directly to many models at once, which really makes the planning in Anaplan connected.

And the second one is HASH() function, that finally allows us to overcome issues with long codes and get rid of numbered lists in many situations.

My champion is @alexpavel for helping me with challenging Anaplan riddles and letting me know when something nice is added to Anaplan ecosystem 😀.

KirillKuznetsov

Hi team,

This year was full of brilliant news and new features in Anaplan. And all of the comments above only prove it.

I would like to highlight once again one feature I posted in April - Anapedia right in the formula editor. I am happy to use it once in a while

https://community.anaplan.com/discussion/158068/anapedia-in-nmx-now-and-some-other-cool-updates

I am really looking forward to all the small hints of functionalities we can see on the platform today such as the new beta view of Modules tab or Pages tab, or ADO and where Anaplan is going with them from the modeling and user experience perspectives. I am sure this year will be even more exciting than the previous one!

As for a person I want to nominate, I would like to recognize @ChrisAHeathcote for his really interesting and valuable posts on LinkedIn.

Alessio_Pagliano

My favourite 2024 feature was the Role Based page access. It was released in November 24 and it happened at the time where this extra level of control was needed and relevant to our projects.

I'd like to recognise @rob_marshall as his posts, comments and replies are the key ones that constantly comes up in my searches ☺️

Chosing one single feature and one single person to contribute was not as easy as it sounds !

Darin_Seibel

To pick just one I'd have to go with one that I've had regular use of since released. Sometimes it's the smaller things that can make a big difference!
Fine-grain history: It's now much easier to look up the history of what happened within a model if you already have a general idea of when something occurred. Before this often required running a much larger export of history and searching through in Excel.

A close second would be font color conditional formatting: now there are more options to draw attention to certain values and do so in a consistent way for an organization.

That being said, I am looking forward to better exploring and understanding ADO as that matures this year!

Special thanks to @JaredDolich as his contributions in Community are invaluable, esp. his ability to break down complex subjects into bite-sized pieces.

Quick Links

Recent release news

August 2025 platform releases and what’s next
Check out the latest Anaplan feature updates and enhancements in our August 2025 official release notes. The information below offers supplemental information to that post. Planning experience Multi-browser tab syncing When changing context or data on a UX page, you can now view real-time data updates across up to five…
July 2025 platform releases and what’s next
Check out the latest Anaplan feature updates and enhancements in our July 2025 official release notes. The information below offers supplemental information to that post. Planning experience External URL navigation button Page builders can configure navigation action buttons to link to external URLs, including non-Anaplan…