Installation & Setup

Abaque uses region-specific templates to ensure accurate bookkeeping and proper GIFI classification. Follow the steps below to list the template files that match your region, make a copy of the template that corresponds to your business structure on your Google Drive, and set up the add-on.

Template Download

Why Templates Are Required

The custom functions at the core of Abaque

Abaque provides two Google Sheets custom functions (learn more):

  • GIFI_21_BALANCE
  • GIFI_BALANCE_CARRYFORWARD

These functions perform the core calculations needed to generate financial statements prepared according to standard accounting principles. To do this reliably, they require a structured environment that defines the nature and behavior of every account in the CoA.

The template’s structural foundation for the custom functions

The Abaque template provides the predefined structure that the custom functions rely on to process journal entries, map accounts, and generate real‑time balances. Every sheet, range, and code is positioned intentionally so the functions can interpret your data consistently and accurately. Without this structure, the functions would not have the framework they need to operate.

This built‑in structure isn’t arbitrary—it exists because the custom functions depend on a consistent GIFI‑based framework to interpret your data accurately.

What this structure includes

The template contains a set of predefined elements that work together to support the custom functions:

  • A complete, pre‑classified CoA
  • Correct GIFI code assigned to every account
  • Pre‑configured Journal entry sheet
  • Consistent sheet names and layout
  • Versions tailored to each business structure
  • Region‑specific and language‑specific variations

These components form the operational backbone of the system. They ensure that every calculation, mapping, and report is based on a stable and predictable environment.

Why GIFI matters behind the scenes

The structure of the template is built around the GIFI (General Index of Financial Information), a standardized classification system used by Canadian tax authorities. Each account in the CoA is linked to a specific GIFI code, which allows the custom functions to interpret your data correctly and produce accurate financial statements. Although GIFI is a Canadian classification system, you do not need to be a Canadian business to use it; the codes simply provide a consistent structure that the custom functions rely on.

What to Do With These Templates

After selecting your Region—and, for Canada, your preferred Language—a folder containing three templates will appear. These templates correspond to the three business structures supported by Abaque:

  • Sole Proprietorship—for individuals operating a business on their own.
  • Partnership—for businesses owned by two or more partners.
  • Corporation—for incorporated entities.

Each template contains the same core structure and the same set of sheets. The only difference is the business structure they represent. Choose the template that matches your situation, then follow the steps below to set up your accounting environment.

Free to try: You can use the add‑on at no cost. Up to 10 transactions can be processed in the free version, allowing you to explore the template and confirm that the system meets your requirements. In the CoA sheet, column D (GIFI code) and column E (Account number) must remain intact unless an active subscription is associated with your Google Sheets document.
  1. Open the template that matches your business structure.
    Clicking a file will open it in Google Drive in view‑only mode.
  2. Make a copy of the template.
    In Google Drive, click File → Make a copy to create your own editable version. This ensures that the template remains unchanged and that your accounting data stays in your personal Google Drive. Before confirming, make sure you have selected the correct destination folder.
  3. Open your copy of the template.
    After you click Make a copy, Google Drive usually opens the newly created Google Sheets file automatically in a new tab. When this happens, you can begin working in the file right away. If the file does not open on its own, go to drive.google.com and open the folder you selected when making the copy. You can also find the file quickly under Recent in Google Drive. This is the file you will use going forward. Renaming it is optional and can help keep your Drive organized.
  4. Install the Abaque add‑on in your copy.
    In your newly opened Google Sheets document, open the Extensions menu and select Abaque (it may take a few seconds to appear after the document loads). Choose Install to enable the add‑on. This sub‑menu will not appear if the add‑on is already installed.
  5. Review the CoA.
    The CoA sheet lists all accounts used to categorize your transactions. The accounts provided are appropriate for the selected business structure. You may rename accounts to match your terminology. Changes to the content of columns D and E require an active subscription, and some structural modifications may affect the data set expected by GIFI_21_BALANCE.
  6. Record your transactions in the Journal sheet.
    The templates are intentionally anonymous. There is no business information to enter, and Abaque does not require names, addresses, or identifiers of any kind. The Journal sheet is where all transactions are recorded, and its layout is designed to ensure accuracy and consistency: each row represents a single transaction, the account dropdowns reference the CoA, and the amount fields accept only numbers to prevent errors. Each template includes the required columns used by GIFI_21_BALANCE, the custom function in cell I3 of the CoA sheet that parses the entries stored in the Journal sheet to compute the balance of every account. The required columns are Debit, Credit, Amount, and the tax columns for your region. The GIFI_21_BALANCE function returns a dynamic array, meaning it automatically spills its results into the empty cells below it. The rows beneath cell I3 must remain empty so the function has uninterrupted space to expand and populate the calculated balances for each account. You can also look at the examples shown in the homepage slider to see what typical transactions look like.

    International template includes four example tax options: two regular sales taxes and two VAT taxes. You may rename these taxes or adjust their rates, but their underlying behavior cannot be changed. Regular sales taxes are linked to a single CoA account, while VAT taxes are linked to a pair of CoA accounts (one for tax collected and one for tax paid). The two regular sales tax entries included as examples cannot be converted into VAT entries unless your Google Sheet has an active subscription, because VAT requires additional CoA accounts that cannot be added in the free version. If your business is not registered with any tax authorities, simply leave the tax column blank for those transactions.

    Canadian templates include all federal and provincial sales taxes. The tax dropdowns and province selector are already configured. Simply choose the appropriate tax for each transaction; no structural changes are needed. If your business is not registered with any sales tax authorities, leave the PROV column of the Journal sheet blank.

    During your evaluation of Abaque, you do not need to understand the CoA accounts linked to each tax option. Simply select the appropriate sample tax for each transaction. Once subscribed and ready to record real sales taxes, refer to the Sales Tax Logic page for full details.

Once your transactions are recorded, the financial statements update automatically based on the balances computed in the CoA sheet. You can continue using the same file over time; the carryforward logic handles year‑end transitions automatically.