Patent ID: 7624053

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for creating reports from financial data in a financial software application executing on a processor, the method comprising: receiving a selection of a report template for creating a report, wherein the report template is selected by a first user of the financial software application, wherein the report template includes query parameters, layout information, and content field information stored independently of financial data, wherein the report template is created by the financial software application used by a second user, and wherein the first user and the second user are different; receiving financial data from a data source; assessing, using the processor, whether the financial data is compatible with the report template by examining a data file type and contents of the financial data to ensure consistency with the selection of the report template and the content field information; and applying, using the processor, the received layout information and received content field information to the received financial data to generate a report, the report having a layout specified by the layout information, and including content associated with the content field information.