Excel Add-In
Learn how to download, install, and use the Excel Add-in.
The Agentive Excel Add-In brings your workpapers to life with interactive document previews, automatic citations, and manual data extraction tools.
The Excel Add-In allows you to review audit workpapers with embedded supporting documentation directly in Excel, maintaining full linkage to source files.
Download and installation
Access the download page
- Locate your name and email in the bottom-left corner of the Agentive interface
- Click on your user profile to reveal options
- Select Download Excel Add-In from the menu
Follow installation instructions
- Review the provided instructions within the platform
- Note any system requirements or prerequisites
- Click Download and install at the bottom of the instruction page
The installation process requires administrator privileges on your Windows machine.
Exporting workpapers to Excel
Once your workpaper is complete in Agentive, export it with supporting documentation.
Export options
Excel + Workpaper (.xlsx) (Recommended)
Downloads an Excel workbook with all supporting documentation embedded within it.
Includes:
- Full workpaper with all data
- All supporting documents (PDFs, images, etc.)
- Interactive citations and preview functionality
- Lasso tool for manual extraction
- All validation markings
This is the recommended format for easy transport and archival of all relevant documentation in a single file.
Files + Workpaper (.zip)
Downloads the workpaper and all supporting documents in a zipped folder.
Includes:
- Excel workpaper file
- All supporting documents as separate files (JPEGs, PDFs, etc.)
- Organized folder structure
Best for:
- Sharing files with systems that don't support embedded documents
- Manual file management workflows
- Integration with other audit software
Workpaper Only (.xlsx)
Downloads the Excel workpaper without any associated supporting documents.
Includes:
- Workpaper data and structure only
- No supporting documentation
- No interactive linkage
You will lose the interactive linkage and preview functionality for underlying support documents with this option.
Best for:
- Quick data review
- Situations where supporting docs are stored separately
- Data analysis only
Legacy DS Format
Downloads the workpaper in a legacy data snippet format for compatibility with older systems.
Best for:
- Integration with legacy audit platforms
- Specific firm requirements
- Migration scenarios
Downloading your workpaper
Initiate download
- Navigate to your completed workpaper
- Click the Download button in the top-right corner
- Select your preferred export option from the dropdown
Open in Excel
- Locate the downloaded file on your computer
- Open with Microsoft Excel
- Enable the Agentive Add-In if prompted
The first time you open an exported workpaper, Excel may ask you to trust the Agentive Add-In. Click "Enable" to activate all features.
Using the Excel Add-In features
Data validation and previewing
Color-coded markings
The exported Excel file retains validation markings from your Agentive work, highlighting reviewed cells.
Preview pane
Click any cell to open a preview pane on the right showing underlying audit documentation and specific citations.
Citation markers
Yellow citation markers appear next to extracted information within previewed documents, showing exactly where data came from.
Manual data extraction (Lasso tool)
Use the Lasso tool to manually extract or update data from supporting documents.
Select target cell
- Click the cell in Excel where you want to add or update data
- Ensure the preview pane is open on the right
Use the Lasso
- Locate the Lasso tool in the Excel ribbon
- Click and drag to highlight the desired information in the preview pane
- The value automatically populates the selected cell
The Lasso tool works with any visible text or numbers in the document preview.
Modifying citations
Change where a citation marker points without changing the cell value.
Open citation panel
- Select a cell with an existing citation
- View the current citation in the preview pane
Update citation location
- Click the Cite button in the Excel ribbon
- Navigate to the new location in the document
- Click to set the new citation marker
The cell value remains unchanged, but the citation now points to a different location in the supporting document.
Troubleshooting
Best practices
Always use Excel + Workpaper
For maximum functionality and portability, always export with the Excel + Workpaper option.
Save frequently
Excel workpapers with embedded docs can be large. Save your work frequently to avoid data loss.
Test the add-in first
Before exporting a critical workpaper, test the add-in functionality with a small sample export.
Keep Excel updated
Ensure you're using a recent version of Microsoft Excel for the best compatibility.
System requirements
The Agentive Excel Add-In requires:
- Windows 10 or later
- Microsoft Excel 2016 or newer (Microsoft 365 recommended)
- Internet connection for add-in functionality
- Administrator rights for installation
How is this guide?