🧱Basics
The Drivepoint SmartModel™ is a connected financial model that you can use to create financial plans for your business. It is connected to your Drivepoint data warehouse and your dashboards using the
In this article, we'll explain:
How to Access the Model
You should always access the model through the Drivepoint web application. This ensures you're always seeing the most up to date version and eliminates any issues with version control.
Log in to your Drivepoint homepage at app.drivepoint.io
Using the left-hand navigation panel, click on the SmartModel™️ option
The model will open a new tab
If necessary, you may be prompted to log in to your Microsoft account.
Using the Drivepoint Excel Add-In
The Drivepoint Excel Add-In connects your model to the Drivepoint platform, allowing you to import data from your key sources and save your model output back to your cloud data warehouse, so it can be used in dashboards, scorecards and other reports.
Step 1: The first time you open your model, you'll be prompted to authorize the Add-In. Choose the option to Trust this add-in
Step 2: Once installed, click the blue Login button, and enter your email and password (the same credentials you used to access the web application).
That's it🚀! Your model is now connected to the Drivepoint data system, so you can import your latest data and save unlimited scenarios to the cloud.
Working with others in Excel online
One the very best features of the SmartModel™️ is the ability to work collaboratively in the model with your colleagues and your Drivepoint team. This is primary reason why we host the model online. It allows you to:
Work with your colleagues in the same model, reducing version control errors and preventing bottlenecks created by "model czars."
Get support and assistance immediately, without having to send files back and forth
Automatically receive new improvements, schedules, and views to the model so you get more and more value over time
When you work with with others in the model, you can see them moving around in the main grid area, just like in Google Sheets. You'll also see an avatar with the person's initials in the top right hand corner of the Excel window. If they're working in another tab from the one you're in, you can click on their avatar see where they are and select "Go to Location" to jump directly there.
Working in desktop versions of Excel
We strongly recommend working with the SmartModel in Excel online except in rare circumstances. Working with the SmartModel in desktop versions of Excel can create merge conflicts that may result in a loss of your work and/or limit our ability to properly support your model. This should be considered an "expert-only" feature.
Certain users may prefer to work in the Excel desktop applications for Mac or PC. This is 100% possible in the SmartModel, and because the model is hosted on SharePoint, you can still work collaboratively with other users, even if they are using Excel on the web.
To open the model in desktop Excel:
Open the model in Excel online.
In the top right hand area of the Excel toolbar, click on the Editing menu and choose the Open in Desktop App option.
Once the model has opened in the desktop application, close the original browswer tab to prevent confusion.
Make your desired changes
Close the Excel application when complete.
When working this way, it's much more likely that Excel will encounter "merge conflicts" that can create a version control nightmare and may require support to resolve. We strongly encourage you to use Excel online unless you're absolutely certain you need desktop Excel to perform a specific function.
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