Inserting Date Functions

You can insert date functions into your Microsoft® Excel® and Microsoft® Word workpapers using the CCH iFirm Engagement ribbon. Adding date functions to a workpaper can reduce how often you must manually add or edit dates in your workpapers. If you roll forward a workpaper, the date functions will update automatically in the new workpaper.

Note: This feature is not yet available for consolidated engagements.

ClosedTell me which date functions I can insert in a workpaper.

  • Current year
  • Current period begin date
  • Current period end date
  • Prior year (up to 5 prior years)
  • Prior period begin date (up to 5 years prior)
  • Prior period end date (up to 5 years prior)

Another advantage that CCH iFirm Engagement gives you is the ability to save engagements and workpapers as templates. If you link any date functions into the template workpapers or the individual workpaper templates, you can create files from those templates, and all of the date links reflect the correct information based on that engagement's period information.

Example: You saved a workpaper in an engagement where you had linked the prior period and current year-end dates as column headers. If you save that workpaper as a template and add it to a different binder, the dates automatically change to that binder's period information. You do not have to re-link these fields after inserting the workpapers into a new engagement.

To insert a date function:

  1. Open the Excel® or Word workpaper you want to add date function links to.
    1. Click the engagement on the Engagement List page.

      Note: See Using the Engagement List Page for information about using the pagination and search features to find an engagement in the list.

    2. Locate the workpaper on the Engagement View page.

      Tip: You might need to expand the node or folder that holds the item you need.

  2. Click the cell or location where you want to add the date function.
  3. Click Date Functions on the CCH iFirm Engagement ribbon, and then select the date function you want to add.
  4. Important: If you have CCH iFirm Engagement installed on your computer, you may also see an Engagement ribbon. Be sure to click the button on the CCH iFirm Engagement ribbon.

  5. If prompted to do so, select additional date format options, and then click OK.

Notes:

  • Your format selections are saved for the next time you add a date function.

  • If you need to change the format for an existing link, delete the link, and then add it again in the new format.