Abstract: A computer-implemented method for creating report templates from a report in a financial software application executing on a processor includes receiving the report having a layout and a content field containing financial data, and that the report is received from a first user of the financial software application. The method also includes determining a structure of the report including the layout of the report and the content field of the report, and storing the structure as a report template. The report template is stored independently of the financial data, and is accessible by a second user of the financial software application.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for creating reports from financial data in a financial software application includes receiving a selection of a report template to be used to create a report. The report template includes query parameters, layout information, and content field information. The method also includes receiving financial data from a data source, assessing 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 the received layout information and received content field information to the received financial data to generate a report having a layout specified by the layout information, and including content associated with the content field information.