FAQ

Why does Google Drive not open my copied file automatically?

Google Drive occasionally creates a copy silently without opening it. This is normal behavior in Google Workspace and unrelated to Abaque.

If the file doesn’t open on its own, check the Recent section in Google Drive. The copy will be there immediately.

How do I open the copy of the template I just created?

After selecting Make a copy, Google Drive sometimes creates the file without opening it automatically. If nothing opens, go to Google Drive and check the Recent section. The copied file appears there immediately, using the same name as the original unless you rename it.

Do I need to rename the file after making a copy?

Renaming is optional. The template works the same regardless of the filename.

Renaming can help you stay organized if you manage multiple businesses. You can rename the file at any time using File → Rename.

Why doesn’t the Abaque menu appear under Extensions?

Google Sheets initializes add-ons asynchronously after the spreadsheet data has loaded. This process typically takes a few seconds. Once initialization is complete, the Abaque menu will appear automatically under Extensions → Abaque.

If the menu does not appear after a short delay, simply refresh the browser page. This forces Google Workspace to re-establish the connection with the add-on servers.

Why does the Chart of Accounts’ cell I3 show a #NAME? error when first opened?

This is a temporary state while Google Sheets connects to the Abaque custom function engine. Because our balance calculations run on secure servers rather than within the sheet itself, the functions require a moment to "handshake" with your account.

The #NAME? error will clear automatically and be replaced by your balances once the initialization finishes. If the error persists for more than 30 seconds, a quick page refresh usually resolves the synchronization.

Why does the Abaque add-on sometimes take time to load?

Abaque leverages Google Cloud's global infrastructure to process complex accounting calculations. The loading time depends on Google’s server allocation at that moment and your current internet connection.

While the server evaluates your Journal entries, custom functions may temporarily display Loading.... This ensures that your local device isn't slowed down by heavy computations, allowing the spreadsheet to remain responsive even with thousands of entries.

What is the Chart of Accounts?

The Chart of Accounts—abbreviated as CoA in this documentation—is the backbone of your accounting system. It lists every account your business uses to classify financial activity, such as assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, and expenses. Abaque provides a professionally structured CoA sheet tailored to your business structure, ensuring consistency and accuracy from day one.

What is the General Journal?

The General Journal—referred to simply as the Journal sheet within the template—is where every financial transaction is first recorded. Each entry includes the date, a description, the accounts affected, and the corresponding debit and credit amounts. Abaque’s Journal template follows standard double‑entry bookkeeping conventions, making it easy to record transactions clearly and correctly.

How the CoA and Journal Work Together

Every time you record a transaction in the Journal, the balances in your CoA update automatically using Abaque’s custom functions. This creates a transparent, real‑time link between your entries and your financial statements, helping you understand exactly how each transaction affects your business.

Can I Customize the CoA?

You can rename accounts, add new ones, or remove those you don’t need—as long as you maintain the required structure and account numbering rules. Abaque validates your CoA to ensure it remains consistent and compatible with the reporting functions. Customization features are available only while your subscription is active.

Do I Need to Customize the CoA Before Entering Transactions?

No. You can begin entering transactions immediately using the default CoA included in your template. This is especially helpful if you want to explore how Abaque works before making structural changes. You can always customize the CoA later as your needs become clearer.

Do I Need to Keep My Journal Entries in Chronological Order?

Yes. The Journal should always be maintained in chronological order. This is a standard accounting best practice and ensures that your entries remain clear, traceable, and easy to review. Abaque does not rely on spreadsheet sorting tools to reorder entries, and using them can disrupt formulas or break the relationship between transactions and account balances. To avoid issues, enter each transaction in the order it occurred and never sort Journal sheet columns after entries have been recorded.

Why was GIFI selected as opposed to a more international standard like IFRS?

While IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) is designed for large, multi-layered corporations, Abaque utilizes the GIFI (General Index of Financial Information) framework because it offers a highly structured, "code-first" approach that benefits small businesses worldwide.

• Universal Logic: GIFI provides a standardized, numbered index for every possible business account. This eliminates the guesswork of "where does this transaction go?" found in unstructured systems.
• Tax-Alignment: While GIFI is the official filing standard in Canada, its logical structure maps directly to the tax categories used by most revenue authorities globally (including the IRS in the US and HMRC in the UK).
• Scalable Complexity: Unlike high-level international standards that can be too vague for small operations, the GIFI structure used by Abaque ensures your books are professionally organized and ready for audit, regardless of your jurisdiction.

In short, we chose this framework to provide our international users with a professional-grade accounting structure that remains simple enough for daily management without the overhead of enterprise-level standards.

How do I set my region in Abaque?

Abaque follows the Locale setting in Google Sheets. This controls how dates, numbers, and separators appear throughout the template.

To set your region:

1. Go to File → Settings.
2. Select your Locale (e.g., United Kingdom, France, United States).

Changing your locale updates formatting immediately. Abaque does not display currency symbols, so switching regions will not add symbols to the CoA or Journal.

How do I configure sales tax or VAT for my business?

Abaque handles sales tax based on the specific template you select during setup:

• International Templates: These are designed for global use (VAT, GST, or Sales Tax). You can define your own tax jurisdictions and rates in the STJUR column. This allows you to adapt the system to nearly any tax regime worldwide.
• Canadian Templates: These are specialized versions with pre-configured logic for GST, HST, QST, and PST. By entering the province code, the template automatically applies the correct regional tax rules and rates.

In all templates, the AMOUNT column represents the pre-tax value. Abaque calculates the tax portion independently, ensuring your ledger clearly separates net revenue from tax liabilities—essential for accurate tax digital filing (MTD) or regional reporting.

Can I change the currency used in my template?

Abaque does not use currency symbols. All monetary values use Google Sheets’ accounting‑style formatting.

Abaque supports working with multiple currencies by allowing you to enter the original amount and the applicable exchange rate. The template then records the converted amount in your base currency. The exchange‑rate column becomes available when the template’s configuration includes multi‑currency support.

For details on how exchange rates are applied inside the Journal, see the GIFI_21_BALANCE online help available from within Google Sheets.

If you need different number formatting, such as decimal separators or thousands separators, change your Google Sheets Locale:

File → Settings → Locale

Why do my balances stay on Loading... even after refreshing?

In rare cases, Google Apps Script may fail to complete a server‑side computation. When this happens, balance functions remain stuck on Loading... even after using F5, Ctrl+F5, or running the Extensions → Abaque menu again. This issue occurs on Google’s servers and does not affect your data. A quick edit‑and‑undo cycle forces Google Sheets to reset the function: Go to cell I3 in the CoA. Make a small edit, such as removing the leading = or deleting one letter from the function name (for example, changing GIFI_21_BALANCE to IFI_21_BALANCE). Press Enter. Undo the change with Ctrl+Z. This forces Google Sheets to re‑evaluate the function, and the balances compute normally afterward.