Workbooks vs. Excel Add-in

What is the difference between Workbooks and the Excel Add-in? Although they may seem similar, there are key differences that are important to understand. Consult the following tables for a comparison:

General Benefit Comparison

Feature Workbooks Excel Add-in
Accessibility

  • They are accessible from any device (including mobile), so you don't need to install any software to view and edit.

  • They are built on newer technology.

  • The user interface is easier to navigate.

  • It must be installed on a desktop.

  • It must be opened and logged into separately from the Nectari application.
File Management

  • Workbooks are stored in a central location, which is easier to manage than Excel files. This decreases the chance of having multiple versions in circulation.

  • It is easy to identify who has access to files.

  • Time-saving functionality: instead of recreating Workbooks folders, you can copy the entire contents of a folder within the Command Center.

  • Excel workbooks can be saved in many different folders and locations, making it difficult to organize and locate files.

  • It is harder to identify who can access a file.
Collaboration

  • Get access to the latest changes in Workbooks every time you log in.

  • Easily embed workbooks into other applications, including ERPs.

  • The distribution feature is more straightforward to configure and doesn't require any Excel license.

  • If you make changes to a report that was already shared with someone, you must send an updated version for the recipient to see the changes. Similarly, if changes are made in an Excel Add-in file that is a part of a distribution, the distribution must be manually updated with the new Excel Add-in file.

  • Excel files created using the Excel Add-in cannot be embedded in your ERP or other applications.

  • The distribution feature requires an Excel license.
Visualizations

  • Workbooks form controls are easily accessible and can be set up quickly without technical skills.

  • Similar form controls can be added using Excel but require knowledge of developer tools and are not as easy to format.
Security

  • Manage granular security options without having to rely on technical support.

  • Easily grant access to specific groups when saving and publishing.

  • Managing the security access of each file can be difficult since there’s no central location where this can be done.
Software Updates

  • Workbooks updates automatically once your server is updated.

  • All users have access to the same workbooks version, and you won’t have to upgrade each workstation individually .

  • You must manually upgrade the Excel Add-in.
Prebuilt Reports

  • Workbooks provides a larger number of detailed financial reports and dashboards. These prebuilt reports have updated formatting for a clean and professional look.

  • The Excel Add-In includes a set of prebuilt financial reports but the list of reports is not as extensive as Workbooks' reports.

Feature-Specific Comparison

Feature Workbooks Excel Add-in
Selection Page

  • You can save time by inputting your filters directly when opening a report.

  • You can use global variables in the selection page as well as the data model parameter pop-up.

  • To filter a report, you must wait for a first refresh and then change the filter values and wait for the proper data to load.
Drill Down Wizard

  • Time-saving functionality: instead of flipping between tabs, view your drill-down results on the same page. Viewing results in the side panel improves readability when clicking on different cells that contain a formula.

  • There are more options for determining how your results appear.

  • Easily jump back into your ERP to see more details using hyperlinks.

  • Dynamic caching optimizes data loading.

  • Easily drill down on a measure within a data extraction and on a cell with a formula.

  • The Excel Add-in provides the drill-down results in a separate sheet. It is not as easy to compare the results, as you must go from one sheet to the next.

  • There are no options for determining what your results look like.

  • You cannot jump back into your ERP using hyperlinks.

  • You can only drill down on a cell that contains a formula.
Formula Wizard

  • Easily find the fields you want using the search bar.

  • Add multiple filters and link them with And/Or conditions.

  • Create complex filters with multiple grouped filters.

  • There are more options for filter operators.

  • Easily preview the result before applying the formula.

  • Name formulas when using multiple formulas in one cell.

  • There is no search bar to find fields.

  • You can't add multiple filters and link them with And/Or conditions, nor can you group filters.

  • You can't preview the result of a formula.

  • You can't name formulas.

  • You must manually select dimensions to cache from the data model and environment to optimize report loading time.
Data Extraction Wizard

  • Data is extracted in a table format and can be easily formatted.

  • Adjacent columns with or without formulas can be added and will become part of the extraction's definition, which can be accessed through the Wizard.

  • You can easily copy and paste data extractions along with adjacent columns to accelerate the process of creating reports.

  • There is the option to automatically refresh data.

  • You can customize your data in easy-to-understand formats, such as a Top 5 Customer list.

  • The data extracted is not in a table format. All cells in the extraction can be selected and then formatted as a table.

  • When adjacent columns are added to an extraction, they do not become a part of the extraction’s definition.

  • Column headers can be created and modified manually but are not part of the extraction’s definition.

  • There is no option to automatically refresh data. The data refreshes upon opening or by manually refreshing the data.
Pivot Wizard

  • New refresh options mean that you don't have to manually refresh Workbooks.

  • You must manually refresh your workbook.
Hide Zero Values

  • Time-saving functionality: use the Hide Zero feature instead of manually hiding rows or columns with zero values.

  • To hide zero values, you must manually hide individual rows that contain zero values.