Create a new file

Before you can start using Caseware Working Papers, you'll need to create a Working Papers file. Typically, you should create a separate Working Papers file for each client.

There are three methods to create a new file:

If required, you can import client data from different sources including other accounting packages and templates during file creation. For more information, see Create a file and import data.

Blank file

In most situations, you should base new files on a template or existing file. Blank files are typically only useful when performing a consolidation.

To create a new blank file:

  1. On the ribbon, click File | New.
  2. Enter a name for the file in the New File Name field. File names can contain up to 100 alphanumeric characters, including spaces and some special characters (excluding \ / : * ? " < > |).
  3. By default, the new file will be created in the Working Papers Data folder (Default path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Caseware\Data\). To change where to create the file, click the existing in folder link and select the new location.
  4. Under Based on, select Blank File, then click Create file.

The new blank file opens and the Engagement Properties dialog displays. Specify the Year End and Year Begin dates to proceed.

Based on a template

If your organization has set up a Working Papers file template, or you'd like to create a file based off of our Audit or Financials template products, you can create a file using the template's format and data.

To create a new file based on a template:

  1. On the ribbon, click File | New.
  2. Enter a name for the file in the New File Name field. File names can contain up to 100 alphanumeric characters, including spaces and some special characters (excluding \ / : * ? " < > |).
  3. By default, the new file will be created in the Working Papers Data folder (Default path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Caseware\Data\). To change where to create the file, click the existing in folder link and select the new location.

  4. Under Based on, select the template file you want to base the new file on, then click Create file.

    Note: If you want to include documents from a secondary template during the file creation process, click Create file and copy documents from another template instead. For more information, see Create a file and import data.

The new file based on the template opens and the Engagement Properties dialog displays. Specify the Year End and Year Begin dates to proceed.

Based on an existing file

We recommend that you create most new files based on an existing file, even if it is the sample file (Samp01) that comes with Working Papers. Basing your new file on an existing one makes setting up and modifying the file significantly easier.

To create a new file based on an existing file:

  1. On the ribbon, click File | New.
  2. Enter a name for the file in the New File Name field. File names can contain up to 100 alphanumeric characters, including spaces and some special characters (excluding \ / : * ? " < > |).
  3. By default, the new file will be created in the Working Papers Data folder (Default path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Caseware\Data\). To change where to create the file, click the existing in folder link and select the new location.
  4. Under Based on, select Existing File..., then click Create file.
  5. In the dialog, navigate to the file you want to base your new file on. If required, select Include accounting data and entity structure to import accounting and entity structure data. Click Open.

The new file based on the existing file opens and the Engagement Properties dialog displays. Specify the Year End and Year Begin dates to proceed.