Formulas: Do any formulas use the SELECT function, especially with time?

AnaplanOEG

When is this a problem?

Using SELECT is considered hardcoding and not recommended.

It is OK to use SELECT for versions and general time periods.

 

Why is this a problem?

Using SELECT is hard coding and not recommended. When you use SELECT with a specific list item or time, you limit the ability to update those list items. This is especially an issue with time because a change will be required every year. You’ll need to locate every line item that references the SELECT function and make updates. These changes can only be performed by a Workspace Administrator (WSA), compared to the solution we recommend, which allows an end user to make changes.

 

How to correct:

Create a module with no dimensions to hold assumptions for Time, and other "SELECT" values or use LOOKUP instead of SELECT. For example, in this module, create a line item called Current Year, format it as a Time Period and select year. You can then use a lookup formula to reference this line item. When the current year changes, you update the value in that line item and it will automatically update all the formulas that reference it.

 

More information:

Planual 2.02-14

Using SELECT

Planual 2.02-12

Avoiding Hard Coding

Vamsi_Kaki

Here is an example to demonstrate above mentioned thing.

This is my Source Module where it contains Headcount details by Departments (Pages) and Locations (Rows) and Time (Columns).

Here is my Target module where Headcount should be shown for a particular year. This can be done using SELECT , LOOKUP functions. Using SELECT, you need to hardcode. Formula shall be modified if you wish to see another year data. In order to avoid Hardcoding and to have dynamic update of data, you can use LOOKUP. For that, create an assumptions module with having only line items. Insert "Select Year" line item formatted as Time-Period(Year). Reference this line item in the Headcount formula to lookup data from Source.