Use Sequential datasets to combine datasets from continuous periods to create a multiple period view of the data. They are ideal when you need to review dataset information on a quarterly or monthly basis on a year-to-date or annual basis.

•Use a sequential reporting dataset to view: Month to Date data, Year to Date data, and Annual data.

•Do not change beginning balances. Enter amounts as activity, deferred only, or balance sheet only.

•If the ending balances from the first dataset do not tie exactly to the beginning balances of the second dataset, a message appears "Alignment check failed. Dataset could not be added. Please view Reporting Dataset Log."

 

Other Sequential Dataset Information

•The reporting dataset can have as many datasets as necessary as long as they are in sequential order. For example, a sequential dataset could have 18 months to represent a year and a half of information or 8 quarters to represent two years.

•The functionality requires that ending rates and balances in the first dataset agree with the next chronological dataset's beginning rates and balances. Although not advised, there is a parameter Remove Sequential RDS Constraints, that can be turned on to override this check.

•Rates and balances within each dataset do not change. The reporting dataset shows the net impact of all datasets in the reporting dataset.

•When a dataset is added to a reporting dataset, it is locked as read-only. To make changes to the dataset, remove it from the reporting dataset. Make necessary changes and re-add it to the reporting dataset.