Node Operations

In this section, we'll learn about the features that are specifically used for building the node structure.

1. Add Node

New nodes can be added to the model, one node at a time or as multiple nodes at one instance. We'll first learn how to add a single node and then move on to adding multiple nodes.

1.1. Adding a Single Node

Adding a sibling node adds a separate new node at the same level as the original node and not as a dependent.

Note: By default, new child nodes are added to the top node if the user does not select any node to add them to.

1.2. Adding Multiple Nodes

To add multiple new nodes to the model, click Add New Node on the toolbar. There are 4 different ways of adding multiple nodes - Text, Data, Add Node using Template, and Constant Node.

Text

It is used to manually enter the node names that need to be added to the model.

  1. Select the node to which you want to add new nodes.

  2. Navigate to Add New Node -> Text to open the Add Nodes by Name pop-up.

  3. In the text box, enter the name of the nodes you want to add.

  1. To create a hierarchy, use the Tab key to insert child nodes.

  2. After entering the node names choose whether you want to add them as a child or as a sibling.

  3. Click Add to add the nodes to the model.

Data

This option is used when you want to create nodes that have data source values. These nodes are also referred to as dynamic children as the child nodes are created to the top node dynamically.

  1. Select the node to which you want to add new nodes.

  2. Navigate to Add New Node->Data to open the Add Nodes from Data pop-up.

  3. A list of source keys is displayed in a hierarchy as per the categories assigned to the visual.

  1. Select the source key which you want to add to the model.

  2. The selected source key's data source values are displayed as Preview at the bottom for all the data series (see the dropdown list in the image).

In case the selected source key has children, all the descendant source keys will also be added as nodes in the same hierarchy.

  1. After selecting the source key, you have the option to add the new nodes as a child or as a sibling.

  2. Click Apply to add the nodes to the model.

Add Node using Template

Another way of adding new nodes is by using the template feature. After creating a template structure in the desired manner (Click here to learn about creating templates) you can add the template anywhere on the model.

  1. Select the node to which you want to add new nodes.

  2. Navigate to Add New Node->Add Node using Template to open the Add Node from Template pop-up.

  3. In case there is no available template, you will be prompted to create a new template.

  1. When there is an available template, the Add Node from Template pop-up is displayed. Select the template you want to add and the source key for which you want the template to fetch the values.

  1. After selecting the source key, choose whether you want to add them as children or as siblings.

  2. Click Preview to view the changes and then add the nodes to the model.

Parent nodes of leaf nodes are only available for selection in the Add Node from Template dialog box while the leaf nodes become the template keys.

1.3. Adding a Constant Node

A constant node is a node that has a single value for its periods as well as the total. To add a constant node to your model,

  1. Select the node to which you want to add a new constant node.

  2. Navigate to Add New Node->Constant Node to open the Add Constant Node pop-up.

  3. Enter the name of the constant node and choose whether you want it to be added as a child or a sibling node.

  1. Click Add.

  2. Time aggregation and adding child nodes are not applicable for constant nodes.

The new node created through the above ways will copy all the properties except the Type and Configuration of the node to which it was added.

2. Group Node

A group node is a node that is used as a title or header inside the model and it doesn't hold any value. They are used to provide context and improve the design of the model. Group nodes can be used to group multiple nodes under a common label/ title.

To add a Group node, click the 3 dots beside the node name and select Add Group.

A Group node is created and named as New Group(1) by default. You can rename the group node name accordingly.

You can now add new child nodes under this group node as explained here or move the existing nodes within this group.

In the below image, you can see that the group node is renamed to Income Statement and the 'Net Income' node is moved within that group.

In the Simulate tab, it is shown with the group node icon as below.

3. Duplicate Node

Hover over the node that you want to duplicate and select Duplicate from the options under the 3 dots. This will duplicate all the properties of the selected node including the Type and configuration of the node.

4. Rename Node

To rename, double-click on the node you want to rename and enter the new name.

5. Move Node

To relocate a node to a different place in the model, hover over the node you want to move and choose Move To from the 3 dots menu.

From the pop-up, choose the node under which you want to move the node and click OK.

The node is now moved to the selected node as its first child.

6. Edit Node

Editing a node consists of updating any of the node's settings. To edit a node, click the pencil icon next to the node name or select the node and click Edit Node on the toolbar. Each of the node properties is explained in detail in the section Node Settings.

7. Re-order Node

Hover over the node and click on the icon. Now drag it to the desired position and drop it.

When you drag & drop a parent node, all the descendants of it will also be moved to the new location.

8. Bulk Editor

Bulk Select is a model editing tool that enables us to perform an action on multiple nodes in one go. The actions that can be performed under Bulk Select are editing node settings, and moving and deleting nodes.

To select the nodes that need to be edited, click Bulk Select on the toolbar and then select all the nodes that need to be edited.

Another way to select nodes would be from the dropdown on the checkbox in the header. The dropdown has options such as All Nodes, Leaf Nodes and Filtered Nodes.

Edit node settings: Select the Bulk Editor button from the black color menu at the bottom of the screen.

This will open the list of properties that can be updated. Make the necessary changes in the popup and click Apply to update all the selected nodes.

Move nodes: Select the Move To button from the black color menu at the bottom of the screen.

This will open the node selection popup where you can select the node under which you want to move the selected nodes and click OK.

Delete nodes: Select the Delete button from the black color menu at the bottom of the screen to delete all the selected nodes.

9. Delete Node

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