Copy and Link Spreadsheet
Companies and advisory firms often prepare monthly reporting packages in Google Sheets - for example, a workbook containing 20 tabs for entity- or class-specific budgets, actuals, and variances.
Some of these tabs may be live data feeds powered by FinBoard, while others are summary sheets created using native Google Sheets formulas by analysts.
Purpose of Copy and Link
The Copy and Link Spreadsheet feature ensures that when you duplicate such a file, the connection to live data remains intact.
This allows teams to reuse an existing model for the next reporting period without manually rebuilding data connections.
Why Linking Is Important
When a spreadsheet is copied in Google Sheets, the copied file does not automatically retain its link to live FinBoard data.
By linking the copied spreadsheet to its source, FinBoard can identify and maintain live data connections within the new file.
Once linked, the copied file behaves like a source spreadsheet.
All FinBoard features - such as Manage Reports, Refresh, and Auto Refresh - remain fully functional.
Both the source and copied files refresh independently, allowing you to update or delete either one without affecting the other.
How to Link a Copied Spreadsheet
Open the source spreadsheet.
Go to File → Make a copy in Google Sheets.
Open the copied file.
When you launch the FinBoard extension, it automatically detects that this is a copy and shows an option to Link Spreadsheet.
Alternatively, open the FinBoard menu and select Link Spreadsheet manually.
In the pop-up window, select the source spreadsheet and click Confirm.
🎉 Done! Your copied spreadsheet is now successfully linked to the source.
It will refresh with the latest QuickBooks data automatically, just like the original.