Planning Tutorial - F To Workday Adaptive
When you open the formula editor (double-click a rule, or use Ctrl+E), you will notice hotkeys:
Important: Adaptive formulas are case-sensitive and use square brackets [ ] for dimension filters, not parentheses.
Example: @sum(‘Expenses’)[Level: ‘Sales’ AND ‘Marketing’] f to workday adaptive planning tutorial
In Excel, you are the architect of a single file. In Workday Adaptive Planning, you are an architect of a relational, multi-user, time-aware database.
| Excel Concept | Workday Adaptive Planning Equivalent |
|---------------|---------------------------------------|
| Workbook (.xlsx) | Model (a collection of sheets, dimensions, and formulas) |
| Worksheet Tab | Sheet (Level, Assumption, or Custom Sheet) |
| F2 (Edit Cell) | Formula Editor (Point-and-click or text-based rules) |
| F4 (Absolute Ref) | Hold/No Hold (Using # or ! in dimension references) |
| VLOOKUP / INDEX-MATCH | Lookup() or Select() functions (syntax: Lookup( ‘Account’, ‘Version’, ‘Time’ )) |
| SUMIFS | @sum with dimension filters |
| Data Table | Custom Dimension (e.g., Product, Store, Project) | When you open the formula editor (double-click a
The hardest habit to break is cell-based thinking. In Adaptive Planning, you write formulas for entire intersections of dimensions (time, version, account, custom dimensions). You do not drag formulas down 10,000 rows.
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
Best For: Finance professionals, FP&A analysts, and Workday beginners who need a rapid, practical introduction to Adaptive Planning. In Excel, you are the architect of a single file
We will build a Monthly Headcount & Salary Forecast – a classic use case that replaces 20 Excel tabs.