Node type management

Node types are used to differentiate between different types of values (data) for a node. All data that is registered on a node must be connected to a node type. Using different node types makes it possible to compare figures, e.g. actual profit with budgeted profit.

The following default node types are available:

Actual (A) - represents the realized figures
Budget (B) - represents the planned, budgeted values
Forecast (P) - represents the prognosticated (forecast) values
Target (T) - represents the goals the organization strives to attain

You can use one, several or all of the node types. Note that there is no requirement that node types be used as described above, i.e. that figures that are entered in the Budget node type must be budget figures.

Your system may also contain custom node types. Use these in the same way. Check with your system administrator for more information.

How to create Node types in Node type management

In addition to the default node types above, you can create new node types and delete node types that are not in use in Node type management in the View menu or under Structure in the Window menu.

To create a new node type, right click in the Node type panel and choose Add -> Node type. The new node type will automatically be given the next available letter as its ID and the name "Node type", but these may be changed if desired, e.g. to values that describe the node type, by double clicking the node type (or right clicking it and choosing Edit).

Properties

General

Name - the name "Node type" is generated automatically but it may be changed
Description - an optional text describing the node type

Audit

Modified by - the name of the last user to make changes to the object.
Last modified - the date and time when the object was last changed.
Created by - the name of the user who created the object.
Created - the date and time when the object was created.

Advanced

ID - a unique ID. Only letters may be used. Node types are given the next available letter as ID, but the ID may be changed. More than one letter may be used.

Special characters such as . ) ( * } { + < > [ ] etc. should not be used in Node type IDs.

Node type structure

You can create a node type tree structure by right clicking on an existing node type and choosing Add -> Node type. Use this e.g. to split "Actual" into "Internal" and "External". Instead of the letter that is automatically assigned as ID you may want to change it to a two letter ID consisting of the parent node type's ID and the first available letter, e.g. give the first node type with "Budget" as parent "BA" as ID.

Deleting node types

To remove a node type right click it and choose Delete. Deleting node types is password protected. Enter the password in the field and click OK.

If a custom node type is deleted, functions that used that node type will revert to node type Actual.

The predefined node types Actual, Budget, Forecast, and Target may not be deleted.