Considerations for Worksheets and Worksheet Calculations

Worksheets are more structured than spreadsheets. Worksheet fields have version history and calculations are contextual to the time period, plan, and user. Worksheet calculations aren’t associated with individual record details, or details that are specific to a particular table or object. Maybe you want a constant number or a sum of other numbers and you want them to be globally available. Worksheet calculations are also referred to as global, general, or statement calculations.

Here are some examples of how you can use worksheet calculations.

• Store constant values such as flat rates or other filter values.
• Maintain short lists of values to be used in other calculations and filters.
• Create a snapshot for the selected context similar to a miniature statement view.
• View total renewals closed this month.

When working in Designer, worksheet calculations can be performed within a worksheet. The organization of worksheets can be handled in various ways, depending on your preference and requirements. One approach is to create a worksheet dedicated to a specific plan where all the calculations related to that plan are consolidated.

Another option is to employ rule-based worksheets where calculations for each rule are segregated into separate worksheets. For optimal calculation organization and maintenance, you can create a top-level worksheet that houses common calculations shared across multiple rules.

Keep these recommendations in mind before working with worksheets and calculations.

• Adding headers to rows or columns helps you to group similar calculation types so that the information is easy to find.
• Give calculations logical display names. API names are required to be unique but display names aren’t. If the API name is updated, the display name is synced and is updated as well. If the display name is changed and doesn’t match the API name, any subsequent changes to the API name aren’t pushed to the display name. The tag icon in the top-right corner makes the names visible on each cell.
• View all the calculations that exist on a worksheet by turning on Show Fields in the left panel.
• If a worksheet calculation is used in a payout rule it can be displayed as a metric card on the rep statement. Turn on any calculations you want to display from Edit Metrics.