Workpaper features: supporting docs, sections, editing and more

How to manage supporting documents, add sections, use the communication log, edit workpapers, and use carry forward and prior year views.

Open workpaper layout

An open workpaper has three areas: the data table in the centre, action buttons across the top (Run Zato, Approve, Edit, Sync with Partner), and the right-hand panel with two tabs, Supporting Doc and Conversation Log / Review Points.

Below the table, totals show Balance Per Workpaper, Balance Per General Ledger (GL), and Variance. The Manual Journals section sits below that with a + Add New Journal button.

Supporting documents

Click Supporting Doc in the right-hand panel to view, upload, or delete files linked to the workpaper. Files are auto-mapped to their GL accounts. Select files and click Extract to pull data from new uploads into the workpaper.

General Ledger documents are view-only. Use the Eye Icon to preview, the Bin Icon to remove other file types.

Add Section (multi-section workpapers)

Add a section that was empty at extraction or zeroed out, without re-running automation:

  1. Open the workpaper, click the section dropdown at the top right.
  2. Click + Add Section.
  3. For parent or alias-based workpapers, select the section. For manual workpapers, type the name.
  4. Click Add.

Sections already shown are excluded from the dropdown to prevent duplication. Adding a section is purely additive, no existing data is changed.

Communication log

Track internal notes and client clarifications inside the workpaper. Click Query / Review +, choose the type, attach files if relevant, and click Submit.

Manual journals from a workpaper

Click + Add New Journal, enter the entries, and click Save. The journal posts immediately and reflects across all related workpapers. Click Sync with Xero to push it through.

Editing

Click Edit to unlock fields. Automation pauses while editing so manual changes are not overwritten. Click Save to apply, updates flow live across linked workpapers. An Unsaved Changes prompt warns if you try to navigate away.

Advanced options

  • Carry Forward: Roll the workpaper structure, notes, and pinned references into next year.
  • Last Year's Workpaper: Open the prior year file in split-screen for side-by-side comparison.