Manual Idea V9
Manual Idea V9
Be A Better Auditor.
You Have The Knowledge.
We Have The Tools.
TUTORIAL
Copyright October 2012 (v9.0) CaseWare IDEA Inc. All rights reserved. This manual and
the data files are copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in any retrieval system or translated into any
language in any form by any means without the permission of CaseWare IDEA Inc.
CaseWare IDEA Inc. is a privately held software development and marketing company, with
offices in Toronto and Ottawa, Canada, related companies in The Netherlands and China,
and distributor partners serving over 90 countries. CaseWare IDEA Inc. is a subsidiary of
CaseWare International Inc., the world leader in business-intelligence software for auditors,
accountants, and systems and financial professionals (www.CaseWare-IDEA.com). IDEA is
distributed under an exclusive license by CaseWare IDEA Inc., 469 King Street West, 2nd
Floor, Toronto, CANADA, M5V 1K4. IDEA is a registered trademark of CaseWare
International Inc.
Contents
Contents
Preface
Preface................................................................................................7
Chapter 1
Getting Started................................................................................17
Introduction ............................................................................................... 17
Accessing IDEA .......................................................................................... 17
Selecting a Project...................................................................................... 17
Connecting to IDEA Server......................................................................... 18
Importing a Microsoft Access File............................................................... 18
Formatting the Data .................................................................................. 19
Viewing the Field Statistics ......................................................................... 21
Selecting a Random Record Sample ........................................................... 22
Extracting Records ..................................................................................... 24
Importing a Text File .................................................................................. 25
Summarizing the Data ............................................................................... 29
Stratifying the Data.................................................................................... 31
Viewing the Results Graph ......................................................................... 33
Creating a Pivot Table ................................................................................ 34
Joining Databases ...................................................................................... 36
Reviewing the History ................................................................................ 37
Using Display All Records Containing ......................................................... 38
Housekeeping..................................................................................55
Backing Up and Restoring Data Files .......................................................... 55
Deleting Databases .................................................................................... 56
Deleting Other Files.................................................................................... 56
Copying Data Files ..................................................................................... 56
Moving Data Files ...................................................................................... 56
Refreshing the File Explorer ........................................................................ 56
Appendix B
@Functions.......................................................................................57
Index
Index ................................................................................................63
Preface
Preface
IDEA (originally an acronym for Interactive Data Extraction and Analysis) provides auditors,
accountants, and systems and financial professionals with the ability to display, read, analyze,
manipulate, sample, and extract data from data files from almost any source - mainframe to
personal computers, including reports printed to a file. IDEA extends your reach by providing unique
functions and features not found in generic software.
IDEA combines considerable analysis power with an extremely user-friendly Windows environment.
This versatile tool is useful for any type of file interrogation and allows users to:
Perform calculations.
IDEA has built-in @Functions for arithmetic, text, time, and date criteria, including many financial
@Functions. These @Functions perform operations such as date, arithmetic, financial and statistical
calculations, and text searches.
Chapter
IDEA Overview
This tutorial covers the functionality of IDEA and IDEA Server.
Throughout the tutorial, the above products will be referred to solely as IDEA unless otherwise
specified. In addition, the images used throughout this tutorial may not necessarily reflect what you
see on your screen depending on the IDEA product you are using.
There is extensive online help available for all modules, including step-by-step walk-throughs of tasks.
In order to view the online help, you require Internet Explorer 4.01; however, Internet Explorer 6.0
or higher is recommended. You may also visit the CaseWare IDEA website at www.CaseWareIDEA.com for additional information such as tips and hints, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and
technical information.
Your feedback is important to us. Send your documentation-related comments to
[email protected].
Desktop Projects
It is recommended that the data files for each audit or investigation be stored in separate folders to
simplify the management and housekeeping of databases and other files associated with the audit
or investigation.
IDEA uses projects to organize audit files. A project is a sort of IDEA container used to hold a set of
original files, which make up the data imported from a client, and any files subsequently generated
through analysis. IDEA allows you to create two types of local Desktop projects: Managed and
External.
Managed
External
Within C:\Users\Your
USERID\Documents\My IDEA
Documents\IDEA Projects
Outside C:\Users\Your
USERID\Documents\My IDEA
Documents\IDEA Projects
When you first launch IDEA, you will have access to two default Managed projects: Samples and
Tutorial. The Samples and Tutorial projects contain all the files required to complete the exercises in
10
this guide, the Report Reader for Version Nine Tutorial, and the Advanced Statistical Methods for
IDEA Version Nine Case Study, as well as the follow along with the examples in the Language
Browser.
IDEA Server
Projects
The Association
Between Desktop
and IDEA Server
Projects
While an IDEA Server project is identical in function to a Desktop project, there are several key
differences between the two:
Location: The location of an IDEA Server project is determined by the IDEA Task
Management Server.
Creation: An IDEA Server project can only be created by an IDEA Server Team Leader.
Access: A basic user simply has rights to access projects to which they have been assigned
by an IDEA Server Team Leader.
When linking Desktop and IDEA Server projects, keep the following information in mind:
When connecting to IDEA Server, the IDEA Server project that becomes active will become
linked to the active Desktop project. From then on, every time you work in that Desktop
project, IDEA will automatically connect to its associated IDEA Server project.
If you change your Desktop project, the connection will change to the IDEA Server project
associated with it, if a connection was previously made.
If you have a Desktop project and its associated IDEA Server project open and you change
the IDEA Server project through the Project Properties dialog box, the IDEA Server project
you link to will become associated with the current Desktop project.
Associations between Desktop projects and IDEA Server projects will always remain as
defined unless you manually change the association through the Project Properties dialog
box.
You can have one IDEA Server project associated with several Desktop projects, however,
you cannot have one Desktop project associated with several IDEA Server projects.
Chapter
Database Window
The Database window allows you to view the fields contained within a database. Although multiple
databases may be open at one time, each database is opened in a separate Database window and
the name of the active database is displayed on the IDEA title bar.
12
Properties Window
Each database has several properties associated with it that are accessed from the Properties
window. These properties are:
Data: Used to view the data in the file in a spreadsheet-like format with field names as
column headings and record numbers as row numbers.
History: Used to view the history of all operations performed on the file. Each database has
its own separate History.
Field Statistics: Used to view the statistics for Numeric, Date, and Time fields in the active
database.
Control Total: Used to display the sum of a selected Numeric field for reconcilliation
purposes.
Indices: Used to switch between created index orders, delete index orders, and remove an
index order from the active database.
Comments: Used to add comments to the active database. It is also used by IDEA to
display warning messages related to the active database.
Properties window
IDEAScript Window
13
IDEA includes a development tool known as IDEAScript for creating macros to extend the
functionality of IDEA. IDEAScript can be recorded, written from scratch, or a combination of both.
The IDEAScript code is generated or written in the IDEAScript window. This window has a toolbar
providing access to a number of commonly used options and tools to assist with writing, editing,
and debugging IDEAScript macros.
As of IDEA Version Eight, you can also create macros through a new feature called Visual Script.
Visual Script is used to visually create, edit, and maintain macros in IDEA. In essence, Visual Script is
the visual representation of IDEAScript. The benefit of Visual Script is that it allows you to automate
tasks that you perform repeatedly without writing any code or programming. If required, you can
then convert your Visual Script macros into IDEAScript macros. For more information on Visual
Script, see the IDEA online Help.
File Explorer
Window
The File Explorer window displays all of the IDEA databases in a project in a tree or a sorted view. If
you have access to IDEA Server, the File Explorer window becomes a horizontal split screen between
Desktop Project and IDEA Server Project.
The File Explorer window can be resized to show the full details of a database, including the
database name, the number of records, the size, the date the database was last modified, and the
date the database was created.
The File Explorer also has a toolbar from where you perform such actions as creating a sub-folder,
changing the display from sorted to tree view, refreshing the list of databases, and renaming,
flagging, or deleting databases.
14
Library Window
In IDEA, a Library is a repository of files. Each Library in IDEA contains Library groups in which you
can organize the files associated to the project.
When a project is created, IDEA creates Library sub-folders that let you organize all associated
project files. The Library window in IDEA displays these sub-folders as system Library groups and lists
the files contained in the groups. The groups in the Library are Custom Functions, Equations,
Exports, Import Definitions, Macros, Other, Results, and Source Files.
For each file in the Library, you can view the file size and the date the file was last modified.
From the Library window, you can perform such actions as creating custom Library groups, deleting
files, running macros, and copying files to another Library.
15
Fly-Out Windows
Corporate Library: A repository of files on IDEA Server compiled by IDEA Server Team
Leaders. The Corporate Library contains the standard system Library groups. Team Leaders
can add files to these system Library groups or create new custom Library groups. Users
that are connected to IDEA Server can copy files from the Corporate Library to their
Current Project Library.
Local Library: A repository of files on your local drive that you use to share files with all
your Desktop projects. The Local Library is always available when you access IDEA. The
Local Library folder is created when you install IDEA and can be found at C:\Users\YOUR
USERID\Documents\My IDEA Documents.
Current Project Library: A repository of files for the active Desktop project as well as the
linked IDEA Server project, if applicable.
The following fly-out windows are available as tabs at the base of the application window: Running
Tasks and Search Results.
The fly-out windows can be pinned down by clicking the push pin icon in the upper-right corner of
the window.
Running Tasks: The Running Tasks fly-out window provides you with the progress
information for a particular task that is running.
Search Results: IDEA displays the results of a search in the Search Results fly-out window.
Within this window, new searches overwrite old ones. From the right-click menu in the
Search Results window, you can re-run the search (as is or make refinements) or print the
results. You may sort the results by double-clicking any of the columns within the Search
Results window. A directional arrow appears in the field header to indicate the sort order
(ascending or descending). IDEA Server allows multiple users to be searching the same
database simultaneously without the risk of overwriting another user's search results.
Chapter
Getting Started
Introduction
The exercises in this section are meant as an introduction for new users and a refresher for existing
users. Each exercise has an objective to indicate what you will achieve in that area upon completion.
The tutorial exercises should be completed sequentially as tests are often carried out on the results
of previous exercises.
For more information on using IDEA:
Accessing IDEA
visit the IDEA Support section on the CaseWare IDEA Web site (www.CaseWareIDEA.com)
From the Windows Start menu select, Programs > IDEA > IDEA.
By default, the Managed project is set to Samples. The databases in this Managed project are
example databases on which you can test IDEA with.
Selecting a Project
Objective: To set a Managed project. One Managed project will be used to complete all exercises in
this section.
1
Click OK.
The project named Tutorial becomes the active project, closing the Samples project (the default
Managed project). The File Explorer is now empty. You will also notice that on the Status bar
on the bottom left corner of the application window it shows Managed Project: Tutorial.
18
Connecting to IDEA
Server
Importing a
Microsoft Access
File
Objective: To connect to IDEA Server. As IDEA Server is a client-server application, the IDEA
databases reside and the tasks run on the server. Hence, you must connect to the server to access
the databases and analyze the data. See The Association Between IDEA Working Folders and IDEA
Server Projects.
1
On the Home tab, in the IDEA Server group, click Select Server.
From the Select a server drop-down list, select the appropriate server. Alternatively, click Add
to add a server.
Click OK.
Objective: To import a Microsoft Access file and generate field statistics for the newly imported
database.
1
In the Import Assistant dialog box, select Microsoft Access from the list.
Click the Browse button next to the File name box to select the Microsoft Access database
you want to import.
Select Customer.MDB.
Click Open.
Click Next.
From the Microsoft Access box, in the Select tables window, select Database1.
If you import a Microsoft Access file that contains more than one table, you may
simultaneously import multiple tables by selecting the associated check boxes. However, any
options you select will apply to all imported tables.
In the Character Field Options area, leave the Scan records for field length check box
selected. All Character fields will be imported with a length of 255 characters unless changed.
This is not likely to be the underlying Character field length.
Accept the default value in the Scan only box in order to scan 10,000 records to determine
the maximum field length.
10
19
Accept the default output file name (Customer), and then click OK.
When the file is imported, the database name becomes filename-tablename. In this case, the
file you imported becomes an IDEA database called Customer-Database1.
Formatting the
Data
Objective: To change the column formatting for selected fields and to sequence the records.
1
Ensure that Customer-Database1 is the active database with the Data property selected in
the Properties window.
Move the cursor to the column separator between the first two field names. Click the column
separator and reduce the width of the CUST_NO field to fit the data.
Place the mouse pointer over the first field header. The toolip displays the field type and the
field length.
Sequence the CREDIT_LIM field in ascending order by double-clicking the column header. A
directional arrow pointing upwards appears in the CREDIT_LIM column header to indicate the
field has been indexed in ascending order. Also, note how the index is displayed in the Indices
area of the Properties window.
Return to the original record sequence by clicking No index in the Indices area of the
Properties window.
20
In the Database window, right-click over the CUST_NO column header to display a list of
commonly used tasks and functions.
For the CUST_NO field, make the text color blue, the background color light gray and change
the font to bold.
21
For the CREDIT_LIM field, make the text color purple and the background color light gray.
Accept the options to use the currency symbol and the thousands separator.
10
Click OK to exit the Column Settings dialog box. Note that the formatting changes have been
applied to the database.
11
Re-order the fields by moving the CREDIT_LIM field after the CUST_NO field. Click the
CREDIT_LIM column header to select it, and then click it again and hold down the mouse
button to display the drag icon. Drag the column towards the CUST_NO field. Note the red
line indicating the drag position. Drop the column to the right of the CUST_NO field.
Note: Once you change a view, IDEA saves the settings with the database. These settings
remain active until you change or reset them. Any child databases created from this database,
inherit the settings.
12
On the View tab, in the Views group, click Reset to remove the format changes.
Objective: To view the field statistics for the Numeric fields in the active database.
1
Ensure that Customer-Database1 is the active database and the Data property is selected in
the Properties window.
22
By default, the Field Statistics window displays the statistics for Numeric fields. In this case, field
statistics appear for the CREDIT_LIM field, the only Numeric field in the database.
Selecting a Random
Record Sample
To view field statistics for the Date fields and Time fields in a database, click Date and Time in
the Field Type area of the Field Statistics window. In the current database, there are no Date
or Time fields. If the database contained more than one Date, Numeric, or Time field, multiple
date, numeric, or time field statistics would appear together on the same screen for easy
comparison of values.
View the record with the maximum value by clicking the value in the Maximum Value field.
The Maximum Value of CREDIT_LIM dialog box appears, displaying the record from the
database that constitutes the maximum value. You may save or print the record. Click Done.
Accept the defaults in the Starting record number to select and the Ending record number
to select boxes.
IDEA sets the defaults as the first and last records; in this case 1 and 341.
Click Fields.
23
The Fields dialog box appears. Note that by default, IDEA selects all fields from the database to
extract to the Sample of Customers database.
9
Click OK.
10
11
View the resultant database and note the additional field (SAM_RECNO) that IDEA has added
to the database as the right-most column. This contains the corresponding record numbers
from the original database (Customer-Database1). Note that the database appears as a child
database to its parent database (Customer-Database1) in the File Explorer window.
12
Close the Sample of Customers database by right-clicking the Sample of Customers tab and
selecting Close.
24
Extracting Records
In the first row of the File Name column, replace the default file name with Large Credit
Limits.
Importing a Text
File
Right-click the Large Credit Limits tab at the top of the Database window, and then select
Close.
25
Objective: To import the sales file that has been provided in Fixed Length text format.
1
From the main Import Assistant dialog box, select Text from the list.
Select the sales.txt file. By default, the Select File dialog box opens to the Source Files Library
group.
Click Open.
Click Next.
Once you have selected the data file, the Import Assistant analyzes the data file and tries to
determine its type. IDEA correctly identifies the format as Fixed Length. Click Next.
During this step, IDEA correctly identifies the length of each record, which is 42 bytes
(characters), including the record delimiters. IDEA automatically excludes the record delimiters
from the import. Inspect the file in the preview section at the bottom of the dialog box. Scroll
through the records and check that the columns of data (fields) line up. Click Next.
26
During this step, you can identify the start and end positions of each field within the records.
The Import Assistant inserts lines for a best fit based on the pattern of data within the
records.It is usual to obtain a record definition for Fixed Length files. Modify the line positions
of the field delineators according to the following record definition. Click Next.
27
10
During this step, you must enter the details for each field, including identifying which fields or
areas you do not want to import. Use the information in the record definition that was
provided in the previous step to complete the details for each field. Once you have defined all
the fields, click Next.
11
During this step, you can add Virtual, Editable, Boolean, or Multistate fields to the file you are
importing. For the purposes of this exercise, do not create any fields. Click Next.
12
At this stage in the import process you can enter an equation to filter the data that is to be
imported into IDEA. For the purpose of this exercise, do not enter an equation. All records in
the sales.txt file are required for subsequent exercises in this tutorial. Click Next.
28
13
During the final step, you must specify the import options and name the resulting database
and then click Finish.
Accept the option to import the file (rather than link to the file).IDEA runs faster when you
import rather than link to a file.
Select the Generate field statistics check box. The field statistics can be used for
reconciliation.
IDEA automatically saves the record definition as sales.rdf/.rdm in the Library. You can use
this record definition later to import similar data files or modify the existing record
definition.
IDEA imports the file into the project, and then opens and displays it in the Database window.
14
15
Summarizing the
Data
29
Objective: To total the sales transactions by customer to produce a list of outstanding balances as
well as to identify the number of active accounts and the number of transactions per account.
1
In the Summarization dialog box, select the CUST_NO field as the field to summarize and the
AMOUNT field as the field to total.
Click Fields.
The Fields dialog box appears. Note that no fields are selected. This stops unnecessary
information from being included in the summarized database.
Accept the option Create database as this database will be joined to the Customer-Database1
database in a later exercise.
Note that as with most tasks in IDEA, you may apply a criterion to the task, for example, to
only summarize transactions for a specified period. As with all other tasks where you can apply
a criterion, if you apply the criterion to the database using the Criteria link in the Properties
window, the criterion equation appears in the Criteria text box on the task dialog box.
However, you may enter a new criterion or modify an existing one using the Equation Editor.
30
Click OK.
View the resultant database. Also note the number of records (303) on the Status bar.
31
Objective: To stratify outstanding balances to gain a profile of the number and value of accounts
within bands.
1
Ensure that Summarized Transactions is the active database and the Data property is
selected in the Properties window.
Right-click any record in the Database window, and then select Show Field Stats.
From the list of available statistics for Numeric fields, select the Net value, Absolute value,
Minimum value, and Maximum value statistics.
Click OK.
The selected statistics appear in a yellow band at the top of the Database window.
Adjust the column widths, including the record number/statistic name column to view the full
statistic names and totals. Move the cursor over the rows and note the tooltips displaying the
statistic names.
10
Right-click any record in the database, and select Show Field Stats..., and then click Clear All.
11
Click OK to remove the Show Field Stats yellow band from the database.
12
13
14
15
16
Click in the < Upper Limit text box of the first row.
17
18
Highlight the next three rows of the spreadsheet area to take the range to 25,000.00.
19
20
Highlight the next seven rows of the spreadsheet area (to row 12).
21
32
22
23
Click OK.
The Results output for the Summarized Transactions database becomes active and appears as a
link in the Results area of the Properties window.
33
Note that there are 219 accounts in the first band (greater than or equal to 0 and less than
5,000.00).
24
25
26
Return to viewing the Results output by closing the Print Preview window.
Objective: To create a custom graph depicting the results of the Stratification task.
1
Ensure that Summarized Transactions is the active database and Numeric Stratification is
selected in the Results area of the Properties window.
Graph the results by clicking the Alternates between displaying the results in a
customizable graph and grid button on the Results toolbar.
Click the Gallery button on the Chart toolbar and select each chart type in turn to view the
options available.
As you select the different chart types, notice that the icon for the Gallery button on the chart
toolbar changes to depict the type of chart selected.
34
Creating a Pivot
Table
Ensure the Show Gridlines check box is selected, and then click OK.
Place your cursor over stratum 6 in the graph and note that its color is solid and its X- and Yaxes values (stratum number and total amount) appear in a tooltip.
Click the stratum 6 bar, and then select Display Records to view the accounts making up the
summary amount.
10
Click Done.
11
Return to viewing the stratification Results output grid by clicking the Alternates between
displaying the results in a customizable graph and grid button on the Results toolbar.
12
In the Properties window, click Data to return to the Summarized Transactions database.
13
Objectives: To profile the Sales Transactions database in a table format and to create multiple
summarizations in a table by calculating the sum, the average, or the count of items.
1
In the Result name box, enter Sales Transactions Pivot Table, and then click OK.
35
In the Pivot Table Field List dialog box, click PAY_TYPE and drag it onto the row header field
displaying Drop Row Fields Here. Click PROD_CODE and drag it onto the column header
field displaying Drop Column Fields Here. Click AMOUNT and drag it onto the Drop Data
Items Here area. Click Close.
If the data is too wide for the field, IDEA displays the values as pound signs (#). Simply click and
drag the column separators to widen the fields in order to view the actual values.
You have just profiled the Sales Transactions database by payment type and product code with
the sum of the amount for each combination of them.
Right-click one of the product code column headers to access a right-click menu. This menu
provides options to hide the totals or to reverse the order of the product code display. Select
and deselect the menu options and make note of the changes.
Right-click any record in the table to display the Pivot Table Field dialog box.
View the records for the four sales of product code 02 that were paid using American Express
(AMEX) by selecting the footer total for product code 02 and then clicking the View the
records that make up a selected value in the Data area button on the Pivot Table toolbar.
Click Done.
10
The IDEA Pivot Table allows you to have multiple fields in the row, the column, or in the data
area. Open the Pivot Table Field List dialog box by clicking the Opens the Pivot Table Field
List dialog box button on the Pivot Table toolbar. Add the SALES_ID field to the column area,
placing it to the left of the PROD_CODE field. Click Close.
36
Joining Databases
11
Now, display only the sales of product codes 02 and 04, but have the sales ID as the primary
focus. Click the drop-down arrow in the PROD_CODE field header and select only the check
boxes for product codes 02 and 04.
12
Note that you can collapse or expand the detail of each salesman by clicking the plus or minus
symbols next to the salesman number. To collapse all, right-click the SALES_ID field in the
column area and then select Collapse all.
13
14
Click the first row in the Primary column and select CUST_NO from the list of fields.
Note the Order column and accept the default, Ascending.
10
Click the first row in the Secondary column, and then select CUST_NO from the list of fields.
11
Click OK.
Reviewing the
History
12
13
14
37
Objective: To view the History maintained by IDEA to check what has been done.
1
Ensure that Customer Balances is the active database and the Data property is selected in the
Properties window.
Locate the last section, which contains the details of how the databases were joined.
Note the following:
38
Objective: To find all unmatched records or all occurrences of a particular instance of data.
1
Ensure that Customer Balances is the active database and the Data property is selected in the
Properties window.
Locate record 9. Note that there is no value in the CUST_NO1 field for this record (a sale for
which there is no match in the Customer-Database1 database).
Right-click the blank record 9 for the CUST_NO1 field, and then select Display all records
containing .
The Display All Records Containing dialog box appears.
Click OK.
IDEA applies the criterion CUST_NO1 == to the database and displays it beside the Criteria
link in the Properties window.
Note that there are 10 records that meet the specified criterion. This is the number of
transactions for which there are no records in the Customer-Database1 database.
Right-click the Criteria link in the Properties window, and then select Clear.
The criterion is removed from the database and all records are displayed.
Repeat the process to identify all customers with no sales in the period using the criterion
CUST_NO =.
There are 48 records. These are the accounts with no outstanding balances.
Clear the criterion to return to viewing all records in the Customer Balances database.
39
40
Appending a
Virtual Field
Objectives: To append a Virtual (calculated) field to calculate a new credit limit and to identify the
accounts where the new credit limit has been exceeded.
1
Ensure that Customer Balances is the active database and the Data property is selected in the
Properties window.
Number of decimals: 2
41
Scroll to the right of the display and note that the NEW_LIMIT field has been added as the last
field in the database.
The color of data in Virtual fields is determined by the color set in the Database Grid tab of the
IDEA Options dialog box. The IDEA Options dialog box is accessible from the File tab.
Performing a
Record Extraction
Objective: To perform an extraction to identify accounts where the new credit limit has been
exceeded.
1
Ensure that Customer Balances is the active database and the Data property is selected in the
Properties window.
In the File Name column, replace the default file name with Exceeded Credit Limits.
Click the Equation Editor button, and then enter the equation AMOUNT_SUM >
NEW_LIMIT.
42
Click the Validate and Exit button on the Equation Editor toolbar to return to the Direct
Extraction dialog box.
Click OK.
Identifying
Duplicate Invoices
Identifying Gaps in
an Invoice Number
Sequence
Objectives: To test the validity of invoices and to test for duplicate invoice numbers.
1
On the Analysis tab, click the Duplicate Key drop-down arrow, click Detection.
Click Key.
In the Field column, select INV_NO and leave the direction as Ascending.
View the resultant database of 4 transactions with two pairs of duplicate invoice numbers
(1000097 and 1000350), which should be investigated.
10
Objectives: To test for completeness and to test for gaps in the invoice number sequence.
1
43
44
In the Output area, ensure the Create result check box is selected.
Click OK.
The Results output Missing Invoice Numbers becomes active.
Performing a Key
Value Extraction
Objective: To manually select records based on key values and extract them to a separate database.
1
Ensure that Sales Transactions is the active database and the Data property is selected in the
Properties window.
Click the Browse button adjacent to the Existing keys drop-down list.
45
All of the different PAY_TYPE/A + PROD_CODE/A values are now listed and selected in the
lower part of the dialog box.
5
Click Clear All, and then select only the VISA payments for product codes 05 and 06.
Optionally, you can enter criteria. Since the objective is to extract all of the sales transactions
that were paid using VISA for product codes 05 and 06, leave the Criteria box empty.
Leave the Create a separate database for each unique key check box selected. Note that
you could have decided to put all the resulting records in one database.
Click OK.
46
In the File Explorer window, IDEA has created two new child databases under the Sales
Transactions parent database: KeyVal=VISA + 05 and KeyVal=VISA + 06.
Performing a
Record Extraction
Using an @Function
10
Rename the two new child databases by right-clicking their names in the File Explorer window
and then selecting Rename. Name the databases Visa Payments for Product Code 05 and
Visa Payments for Product Code 06.
Objective: To carry out a more advanced exception test in order to identify all transactions
processed on a Sunday.
1
In the File Name column, replace the default file name with Sunday Transactions.
47
48
Designing a Report
Ensure that Sales Transactions is the active database and the Data property is selected in the
Properties window.
On the File tab, in the Print group, click Create Report to create a report using the view
settings.
Select the Create new report option and the Allow headings to span multiple lines check
box. Click Next.
49
In the field list, select each field (one at a time) and enter a short but descriptive name in the
Text box. This text will be used for field names. Accept the default alignment selections. Click
Next.
Note: IDEA displays the records in the report in the order of the index. IDEA displays the index
description in the Indices area of the Properties window once you have completed the report.
50
Create a break and total the AMOUNT field for each cutomer number (CUST_NO). Select the
following options: Count records in break, Show break line, Show leading break. Set the
break spacing to 3 lines. Total the AMOUNT field. Select the Show shading and Use
currency symbol options. Click Next.
Create grand totals for the AMOUNT field, set the font style to bold, and then click Next.
51
Note: The options you have selected affect how the report is printed. The name entered into
the Prepared by field appears on reports accessed via the Print Preview of a Results output.
9
Once the report has been created using the Report Assistant, IDEA prompts you to preview the
report that was created. Click Yes.
10
View the report, toggling between a single page and two pages.
11
Zoom in to view the report in detail. (There are two levels of zoom.)
12
13
52
Creating an Action
Field
Right-click any record in the CUST_NO field, and then select Define Action Field....
The Define Action Field dialog box appears.
Ensure that the Create Action Link to display extraction preview option is selected.
Click the Browse button and select the Summarized Transactions database. Click OK to
close the Select Database window.
Ensure that the CUST_NO field is selected, and then click OK.
Click OK in the Define Action Field dialog box to create the Action Field link.
The Customer-Database1 database now has a link (in blue and underlined) to the Summarized
Transactions database.
In the CUST_NO field, click the first record to display the Extraction Preview window. The
transactions total for customer number 10000 is displayed.
10
Click Done.
53
Appendix
Housekeeping
As with all computer systems, housekeeping (including backing up data and deleting unwanted
files) is extremely important when working with IDEA.
Backing Up and
Restoring Data Files
You may want to back up files for a variety of reasons, such as, to transfer files to another
computer; to back up according to risk/criticality of data or because of disk space restrictions.
IDEA uses a single compound file with the file name extension *.imd (Unicode versions of IDEA use
the file name extension *.idm) to store all the information associated with a file, such as the data,
the schema, History, comments, indices, and reports.
IDEA stores each of these files in its project. However, the view files, equation files, definition files,
and any text files created are not stored within the compound file.
The following list outlines the file type, the location and file name extensions (ASCII and Unicode).In
order to backup IDEA Server project files, please contact your IDEA Server Administrator.
Use File Manager, Windows Explorer, or any other backup facility to back up the required file.
56
Deleting Databases
From the File Explorer toolbar, expand out all nodes in the File Explorer to display all files by
clicking the File Display button and then selecting Expand All.
Use the Library to delete other files, such as record definitions, views, and equations.
In the File Explorer window, right-click over the name of the database you want to copy.
Select Copy To
Click OK.
In the File Explorer window, right-click over the name of the database you want to move.
Select Move To
Click OK.
You can update the IDEA File Explorer one of two ways:
Press F5.
From the File Explorer toolbar, click the Refresh List button.
Appendix
@Functions
IDEA provides @Functions for performing operations such as date arithmetic, financial and statistical
calculations as well as text searches.
The @Functions are accessed through the Equation Editor. Quick help including the syntax,
description, and an example of use for each of the @Functions is available when the @Function is
highlighted. Additional and detailed help is provided in the Equation Editor Help system accessed
through the Help button on the Equation Editor toolbar.
Note: You can also create custom functions. For more information, see the IDEA online Help.
Take a look at the definitions below to become familiar with each @Function:
@Afternoon: Returns 0 if time is in the AM and 1 if time falls in the PM and -1 for an
invalid time.
@AgeDateTime: Returns the number of seconds between two dates and times.
@Ascii (not in Unicode versions of IDEA): Provides the ASCII value of a character.
@BetweenDate: Returns a number indicating whether a date value falls within a specified
range (1) or not (0).
@BetweenTime: Returns a number indicating whether a time value falls within a specified
range (1) or not (0).
58
@Chr (not in Unicode versions of IDEA): Provides the character equivalent of a specified
ASCII code.
@Ctot: Converts a Character field containing time values stored as a string to a Time field
with a Time format (HH:MM:SS).
@DToDays: Reveals the number of days between Jan. 1, 1900 and a specified date.
@FinYear: Returns the financial year for a given date based on the year end.
Appendix B: @Functions
59
@IsFieldDataValid: Returns a 1 if the data in the field is valid, or a 0 if the data is invalid.
@Isin: Returns the starting position of a string within another string (case sensitive).
@Isini: Returns the starting position of a string within another string (NOT case sensitive).
@LastDayofMonth: Returns the last day for any given month and year combination.
60
@Ntot: Converts a Numeric field containing time stored as seconds to a Time field with a
Time format (HH:MM:SS).
@Qtr: Returns 1-4 representing the quarter a given date falls in based on the specified year
end.
@SimpleSplit: Extracts a segment of a character string that resides between the specified
Appendix B: @Functions
61
xth occurrence of a specified start character (or character sting) and the specified end
character (or character string).
@Soundex (not in Unicode versions of IDEA): Returns the sound code for a word.
@SoundsLike (not in Unicode versions of IDEA): Determines whether two words are
phonetically alike.
@SpacesToOne: Strips spaces leaving only one space between words in a string.
@SpanExcluding: Returns the characters in a string that appear before any characters in a
specified string.
@SpanIncluding: Returns the characters at the beginning of a string that match any
character of a specified string.
@Split: Breaks a character string into segments separated by characters, such as spaces or
commas, and returns a specified segment.
@Ttoc: Converts a time or number into a string with the HH:MM:SS format.
@Tton: Converts a Time field that has values stored in Time format (HH:MM:SS) to a
Numeric field with the time value converted into seconds. This is the reverse of @Ntot.
@Workday: Returns 1 if a given date falls between Monday-Friday and 0 if the date falls on
a Saturday or Sunday.
Index
Index
Symbols
@Functions 53
List of 53
Numeric expression 53
String 53
A
Action field 48
Appending a Virtual field 36
Arrow 17
B
Backing up data 51
C
Comments property 17
Control Total property 15
Copying databases 52
Criteria property 16
D
Data property 14
Databases
Copying 52
Deleting 49
Moving 52
Deleting databases 49
Direct Extraction 26
Directional arrow 17
Display All Records Containing 36
Duplicate Key Detection 37
E
Extracting records 26
64
F
Field Statistics property 15
File Explorer window 18
Refreshing 52
Toolbar 18
File name extensions 51
Fly-out windows 18
Running Tasks 18
Search Results 19
Formatting the data 23
G
Gap Detection 38
Graphing the results 32
H
Help system 48
History property 14
I
IDEA Server project 12
IDEAScript window 18
Toolbar 18
Importing
Adobe PDF 43
Microsoft Access file 22
Print Report file 43
Text file 27
Importing a Microsoft Access file 22
Importing a Text File 26
Indices property 17
Internet Explorer 48
J
Join Databases 34
K
Key Value Extraction 38
L
Library window 18
M
Managed Project 11
Default 11
Moving databases 52
Index: Index
N
Numeric expression 53
P
Pivot Table 33
Projects
IDEA Server 12
Managed 11
Selecting 21
Properties window 13
Comments 17
Control Total 15
Criteria 16
Data 14
Field Statistics 15
History 14
Indices 17
Results 16
R
Random Record Sampling 25
Refreshing the File Explorer 52
Reports 39
Results property 16
Ribbon 17
Running Tasks fly-out window 18
S
Search Results fly-out window 19
Searching records 47
Wildcards 47
Selecting a project 21
Stratification 31
String 53
Summarization 29
T
Tasks that generate Results output 16
Time fields 46
V
Viewing the Field Statistics 24
Virtual (calculated) field 36
W
Website 11
Wildcards 47
65
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