This feature allows you to define which grids and tables are executed when each sheet is displayed, and what order the workbook objects are evaluated in.

In the normal course of using Anaplan XL Reporting you shouldn't need to change these settings, as the dependencies are automatically detected when the report is published. If a single object isn't being executed, then adding a helper formula is the recommended way of fixing the report.You should only consider using this if a particular report is causing issues.

You can use this feature when:

  • The correct objects aren't executed on many sheets.
  • Publication takes a very long time
    • Detecting ‌dependencies is usually the bulk of the publication time.

The dependencies screen if found under the Anaplan XL > More ribbon item. When opened, it'll be pre-populated with the automatically detected dependencies. The screen consists of two parts.

Required objects

This screen defines which objects are executed when each sheet is displayed. A grid/table is always executed when the sheet it's on is displayed.

If you require an object to be run, but it isn't detected, then you can set the sheet to be managed manually and add it yourself. This means the sheet requirements won't be updated, and you may need to return to add more grids if they are added to the report.

Run order

This is the order in which Anaplan XL objects are evaluated. Changing this can easily break reports and cause slicers/grids to get out of sync. Only adjust this with caution.

Objects which are connected must be run in order, but if they are unconnected, then order doesn't matter. The sheet an object is on doesn't matter.

For example if Slicer 1 drives Slicer 2 which drives Grid 1 then those must be set up in that order, as they are connected.

If there is another grid, Grid 2 which isn't connected to any of those, then it can be put anywhere in the order. It can be run before, after, or even between the other items as they don't affect each other.

Slow to publish reports

If you have a report that takes a long time to publish, it is very likely that the dependency detection is taking most of the time. If the report is finalized and is undergoing cosmetic changes, you can avoid the publishing delay by setting all sheets and the run order to manual.

Opening the Customize Dependencies screen runs the dependency checks, so this will also take some time to open. Once all sheets and the run order are manual, this stage will be skipped.

If you hold down the Shift key while opening the dependencies screen, then the automatic detection will be skipped and it will open quickly.

Resetting

If you change many of these settings you may find that you've got a report that doesn't work well and you need to reset it. To do this, simply go into the screen and turn all sheets and the run order to automatic mode. This will clear out the saved changes and the normal Anaplan XL dependency checker will run again.