How to Use Datarails

Getting started with Datarails

In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up Datarails and integrate it with Excel for financial planning. By the end, you’ll be able to consolidate your financial data and enhance your spreadsheets effectively.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to the Datarails website.
2. Click on the "Get Started" button in the top right corner.
3. Fill out the form with your details and click "Sign Up".
4. Follow the instructions in the confirmation email to activate your account.
5. Once logged in, you’ll be prompted to connect your Excel. Download the Datarails Excel add-in from the dashboard.

Step 2: Your first financial plan

1. Open Excel and navigate to the Datarails tab in the ribbon.
2. Click on "Connect Data", then choose your financial data source (e.g., ERP, CSV).
3. Select the specific data sets you want to import and click "Import".
4. Now, use the "Create Report" button to set up your first financial report.
5. Choose the relevant metrics and timeframes, then click "Generate".

Step 3: Get better results

1. Use the "Templates" feature under the Datarails tab to access pre-built reporting formats.
2. Explore the "Automate" option to set up scheduled updates for your reports.
3. Customise your dashboards by using the "Visualise" button to create charts and graphs that reflect your data.
4. Regularly review the "Insights" section to discover trends and anomalies in your financial data.

Pro tip

Use the "Data Refresh" option in the Datarails tab to quickly update all your reports with the latest data instead of manually refreshing each one.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid skipping the data mapping step when importing your data. If your data isn’t correctly mapped, it may lead to errors in your reports or incomplete data analysis. Always double-check the mapping before finalising the import.