Every Filebox has a type that describes its role, so Datarails shows you the settings and actions that matter for that Filebox and hides the ones that don't. For the Workspace itself, read the Workspace Overview.

Your existing Fileboxes already have a type. Datarails assigned one to each Filebox based on how it is set up today. Changing a type never touches your files, versions, or history.

The five Filebox types

• Manual input: Enter numbers directly in Datarails, no file needed. Best for assumptions, targets, and figures you keep by hand.
• Model: An Excel model that stays in two-way sync with your Datarails data. Best for budgets, forecasts, and detailed calculations.
• Report: A formatted view of your live data that refreshes on its own. Best for P&Ls, board packs, and statements. A Report is either Excel or PowerPoint.
• Lookup: A mapping table your data tables use to translate values, such as account or department mappings.
• Integration: A Filebox fed by a connected source: a data connection, email, or API upload.

See a Filebox's type

In the Workspace grid, each Filebox shows an icon for its type next to its name. Hover the icon to see the type, for example "Type: Model". PowerPoint Reports have their own icon.

Filter by type

1. In the Workspace, click Type in the filter bar.
2. Select one or more types: Manual input, Model, Report, or Collection process.
3. Click 'Apply'.

The filter shows Fileboxes of that type in the current folder and all its subfolders. When only Report is selected, a Format filter narrows the list to Excel or PowerPoint.

Choose a type when you create a Filebox

1. Navigate to the Workspace and click on New.
2. Select New FileBox.
3. In 'Create new Filebox', choose the Filebox type: Manual input, Model, or Report. Manual input is selected by default. Click 'Next'.
4. Name the Filebox and set its tags. For a Report, choose the Report format: Excel (default) or PowerPoint.
5. Click 'Upload File' to add the first file now, or 'Create & Close' to create an empty Filebox.

You also choose the type when you create a Filebox from the Excel add-in: Manual input, Model, or Report. In PowerPoint, the type starts as Report.

Lookup and Integration Fileboxes are created from their own pages: Setup > Lookups and Setup > Integrations. The type picker links to both.

Change a Filebox's type

1. Open the Filebox settings: Settings in the row's three dots ellipsis icon, or the settings button on the Filebox page.
2. Go to Advanced > General settings.
3. Choose a new Filebox type, then click 'Change type' to confirm.

Only the Filebox owner can change its type. Anyone else sees the field greyed out with "Only the filebox owner can change its type."

• You can switch between Manual input, Model, and Report yourself.
• Types with a padlock, changing to or from Lookup or Integration, are done by Datarails Support, because those changes affect the tables, dashboards, and connections that rely on the Filebox. Picking a padlocked type opens a "This change needs support" message with a link to Support.
• A Lookup or Integration Filebox shows "This Filebox type is managed by Datarails support".
• Settings that don't fit the new type are hidden, not deleted. Switch back and they return as they were. The one exception: if a Filebox stops being a Report, its Report format resets.
• If a Filebox is changed to Lookup or Integration (through Support), it moves out of the Workspace to Setup > Lookups or Setup > Integrations.
• A Report's format can be changed later in the same place: Advanced > General settings > Report format.

Two types on one Filebox

Some Fileboxes do two jobs, for example a budget Model that managers also open as a Report. Set this in Advanced > General settings > Additional type (optional). The line under the field shows what this Filebox can combine with, for example "Model can also be Report".

• A Model can add Report yourself.
• Other combinations show a padlock and are set up by Support.
• A Manual input or Report Filebox has nothing to add on its own, so the field shows only "None".

What each type changes

• The three dots ellipsis icon shows the actions that fit the type. For example, PowerPoint Reports don't have Data mapper, Edit online, or Online preview.
• Filebox settings show only what fits the type.
• Integration and Lookup Fileboxes live under Setup > Integrations and Setup > Lookups, not in the Workspace.

FAQ

Why can't I find an integration Filebox or a lookup in the Workspace?

They have their own pages: Setup > Integrations and Setup > Lookups.

Why can't I change a Filebox to Lookup or Integration?

Those changes affect connected tables, dashboards, and data sources, so Support makes them. Contact Support.

The type field is greyed out and says "Only the filebox owner can change its type."

Ask the Filebox owner, or contact Support.

I got "This filebox is connected to ... Disconnect it first, then change the type."

A Filebox can't change type while it is connected to a data source. Contact Support.

I got "This filebox is used as a lookup by ... Remove it from those tables' lookups first, then change the type."

The Filebox is still used as a lookup by your tables. Contact Support.

My upload was rejected with "This Filebox takes Excel files".

The Filebox is a Report with a set format. Upload a file in that format, or ask the owner to change the Report format in settings.

Updated November 04, 2026 10:52