Who this is for. Anyone with SmartResearch access: analysts, managers and finance leads. Access. Included for everyone at an organization whose subscription covers SmartResearch, whatever their role. No permission needs to be assigned. See the Roles and Access Reference.
Most SmartResearch problems are not faults. A number that looks wrong is usually a period difference, a currency with no activity in the window, or a metric definition that changed. Work through the situation that matches your symptom before you contact Support, because most of these resolve without a ticket.
Question returns an error
When SmartResearch cannot process a question, it returns an error message. Rephrase the question using different terms or a simpler structure. For example, replace a question that combines several dimensions and a long period with a narrower one covering a single dimension and a shorter period.
Question runs slowly or times out
Questions show their progress as they run, naming the current step with an elapsed timer. When a question takes longer than expected, SmartResearch notes that it is still fetching data. On timeout, it offers to try a smaller date range, or to email you the results when they are ready where that option is configured.
Narrow your filters to a shorter date range or fewer vendors.
Results run to many rows
Data tables show a row count and paginate, with a rows per page control. Use the pagination controls to move through results, or select Export all rows as CSV to download the full result set, or Export CSV to download only the page as shown.
A metric shows as Not validated
The definition has not been validated against an instance, or its formula changed since it last was.
To resolve this, open the metric with Validate & Edit, select an instance under Instances to validate against, select Revalidate, then save. Use the status filter in the catalog to find every metric currently unvalidated. For more information, see Create or Edit a Metric.
A number does not match your report
This is usually a definition difference rather than an error. Work through the ordered checks in When an Answer Looks Wrong, which covers the instance, the connection, the period, the entity scope, the metric definition and who is asking.
Ratio metric returns an extreme value
Ratio metrics divide by recent activity. When little or nothing posted in the metric’s window, the denominator approaches zero and the result becomes very large.
This points at the input data rather than the formula. Check whether recent bill or invoice data has loaded. SmartResearch usually flags this in the answer and recommends confirming before you treat the figure as a live signal.
A currency is missing from a result
Sum-based metrics return one row per currency, but only for currencies with qualifying transactions in the period. A currency your organization transacts in can be absent because nothing posted in that window.
Ask a follow-up question for the underlying volume by currency to confirm whether the gap is real.
A metric you used has disappeared
Release 26.8.1 replaced the standard metric catalog with Core Metric Catalog v1. A metric you relied on was removed rather than renamed.
Check the catalog for an equivalent, or recreate the metric. For more information, see Create or Edit a Metric.
Data or features are missing
You may lack the necessary permissions, the field may not be connected, or your entity scope may exclude the data.
Check your entity setting in User Preferences first, then contact your Auditoria administrator. For more information, see What Data SmartResearch Can Reach.
Related information
For more information, see Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
For more information, see Auditoria Support.
For more information, see What SmartResearch Can and Cannot Do.