Sometimes, you may need to invert the sign of certain accounts from your source system for precise financial analysis. This can be configured in Xero or NetSuite, but Cube also provides a streamlined solution using Cube formulas. Follow these simple steps to create a sign-flip formula for each account that needs to be flipped.
1. Add the sign-flip formula
Navigate to the formulas section in your Web portal and click +New.
We recommend naming this formula something similar to the account you’re flipping. We typically use (f) in the name to designate that this dimension is calculated using a formula.
Select a parent dimension for your formula. You will replace the original account dimension with this new formula dimension, so select the same parent dimension.
Enter the formula multiplying your account name by -1 to give the opposite sign value.
Save your new sign-flip formula.
2. Update your hierarchy
Navigate to the dimensions page and locate the original (non-formula) dimension.
Edit the dimension to reparent it to any parent outside the IS, BS, or CFS hierarchy. This dimension needs to store data from your source system to use in the formula you created, so you can't deactivate it. Instead, you can move it somewhere out of the way to avoid fetching it to your spreadsheets. Many cubes have a parent dimension named “Cube Staff – DNU," or you could create another parent marked "Do not use."
Save your changes.
Check that your formula dimension is in the correct location in your hierarchy. If necessary, enable reordering and move it to the correct place.
3. Update references to the old dimension
Review all reports, templates, and dashboards to change references to this account to reflect the new formula dimension name instead.
Learn more about using formulas in Cube.