XBRL dimensions allow tagging of multi-dimensional data in XBRL instance documents. Dimensions provide a way to add additional context to XBRL facts through members and domains. There are two types of dimensions - explicit and typed. Explicit dimensions specifically name each member, while typed dimensions define a domain without explicitly naming members. Dimensions are tagged in XBRL contexts using xbrldi:explicitMember or xbrldi:typedMember elements and allow automated processing of multi-dimensional financial reports.

1. 1
Dimensions : A Primer
CA. NIRMAL GHORAWAT
B. Com (Hons), ACA

2. 2
Session Overview
• What is an XBRL
Dimension?
• Tagging an XBRL
Dimension in an
Instance Document
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

3. 3
What is an XBRL Dimension?
Simply Stated – “Dimension” is a Technical Term in
XBRL used to Tag The Tables Typically found in
Financial Reports.
However, XBRL Dimension are more versatile – in as
much – they can be used to represent multi-
dimensional Data (2D{Table}, 3D, etc) in XBRL.
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

4. 4
What is an XBRL Dimension?
Ability to add multiple / additional identifiers to a piece
of data / information
Use of Dimension in non-forms-based Reporting
SIMPLIFY Tagging and reduces no. of elements in
Taxonomy
• Capability added to XBRL by XBRL Dimension 1.0
(18 September, 2006) (Technical Specification)
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

5. 5
The XBRL Dimension 1.0 Specification
Modular eXtension to the XBRL Specification (XBRL
2.1)
Enables Developers to add additional semantic
meaning to XBRL Taxonomies representing multi-
dimensional reports programmatically
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

6. 6
A Normal Table Featured in Financial Reports
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

7. 7
Terms Used in Dimensions
Dimension is a manner in which data might be presented
(=Axis) or say a categorization of facts.
eg. Sales can be presented by way Region or
Products.
Domain The range of valid values for a Dimension is
called its Domain.
eg. Products or Region are both Domain.
is a concept that is part of a domain. For
Domain example, “Food and Beverages” is a Domain
Member Member in the “Product” Domain.
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

8. 8
Terms Used in Dimensions
Hypercube A hypercube is a possible dimensional
(= Table) representation.
eg., Products and Regions form 2
Hypercubes.
Primary Item is a simple concept, or item, defined in an
XBRL schema that is part of a substitution
(=Line Items) group, and can therefore be represented in a
multi-dimensional manner.
eg. Sales
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

9. 9
Terms Used in XBRL Dimensions
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

10. 10
Why XBRL Dimensions?
Enables computer applications to consume and
process dynamic associations of Data
Automated processing of Multi-Dimensional Data for a
more complete analysis
Enables Developers to add additional semantic
meaning to XBRL Taxonomies representing multi-
dimensional reports programmatically
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

11. 11
Tuples v/s Dimensions
Tuples and Dimensions are both technical features in
XBRL Taxonomies which allow “Data” that is often
reported in the form of Tables in Financial / Business
Reports to be handled efficiently in XBRL.
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

12. 12
Tuples v/s Dimensions
Tuples Dimensions
Only 2-Dimensional. Not Versatile. Can be used for
possible to represent multi- representing multi-
dimensional data using dimensional data [2D/ 3D/
Tuples (n)D]
Not as functional as Dimensions are more
Dimensions Versatile and cover all
functional aspects of Tuples
and more
Inhibit Extensibility Exhibit Extensibility
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

13. 13
Tuples v/s Dimensions
Tuples Dimensions
Higher No. of Elements in Lower No. of Elements in
the Taxonomy (roughly: the Taxonomy (roughly:
Domain Members X Line Domain Members + Line
Items) Items)
No effect on Contexts. Higher No. of Contexts in
Instance Documents.
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

14. 14
TAGGING AN XBRL
DIMENSION IN AN INSTANCE
DOCUMENT
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

15. 15
xbrldi :: NameSpace
The instance document must contain reference
for the “xbrldi” namespaces
xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

16. 16
Explicit v/s Typed Dimension
Explicit Typed
You know exactly what are You don’t know the values
the Dimension Members but you know enough to
(i.e., the Domain explicitly define the members (i.e.,
names its members) not possible to explicitly
name its members)
There is a FINITE and There may be an INFINITE
MANAGEABLE number of (UNMANAGEABLE)
members number of (possible)
members.
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

17. 17
Example : Explicit Dimension - Simple
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

18. 18
Tagging an Explicit Dimension-Simple Type
<xbrli:context id=“GoodsPurchased1Member_D2012>
<xbrli:entity>
<xbrli:identifier
scheme=“www.mca.gov.in/CIN”>CIN</xbrli:identifier>
</xbrli:entity>
(<xbrli:period> </xbrli:period>)
<xbrli:scenario> Domain Axis
<xbrldi:explicitMember dimension=
“in-gaap_CategoriesOfGoodsPurchasedAxis”>
in-gaap_GoodsPurchased1Member
</xbrldi:explicitMember>
</xbrli:scenario> Domain Member
</xbrli:context>
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

19. 19
Data items for Table
...
<in-gaap_DescriptionOfGoodsPurchased
contextRef=“GoodsPurchased1Member_D2012”>Cement
</in-gaap_DescriptionOfGoodsPurchased>
<in-gaap_GoodsPurchased
contextRef=“GoodsPurchased1Member_D2012”
unitRef=“INR” decimals=“INF”>40000 </in-
gaap_GoodsPurchased >
...
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

20. 20
Example : Explicit Dimension - Complex
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

21. 21
Tagging an Explicit Dimension-Complex Type
<xbrli:context id=“LongTerm_INRTermLoanBank_Secured_I2012>
<xbrli:entity>
<xbrli:identifier scheme=“www.mca.gov.in/CIN”>CIN</xbrli:identifier>
</xbrli:entity> (<xbrli:period> </xbrli:period>)
<xbrli:scenario> Domain Axis
<xbrldi:explicitMember dimension=
“in-gaap_ClassificationBasedOnTimePeriodAxis”>
in-gaap_LongTermMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
Domain Members
<xbrldi:explicitMember dimension=
“in-gaap_ClassificationOfBorrowingsAxis”>
in-gaap_RupeeTermLoansFromBanksMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
<xbrldi:explicitMember dimension=
“in-gaap_SubclassificationOfBorrowingsAxis”>
in-gaap_SecuredBorrowingsMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
</xbrli:scenario>
</xbrli:context>
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

22. 22
Data items for Table
...
<in-gaap_Borrowings
contextRef=“LongTerm_INRTermLoanBank_Secured_I2012
” unitRef=“INR” decimals=“INF”>100000</ in-
gaap_Borrowings >
...
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

23. 23
Typed Dimension
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

24. 24
Tagging a Typed Dimension
<xbrli:context id=“AuditorAxis_GhorawatCo_D2012>
<xbrli:entity>
<xbrli:identifier
scheme=“www.mca.gov.in/CIN”>CIN</xbrli:identifier>
</xbrli:entity>
(<xbrli:period> </xbrli:period>)
<xbrli:scenario>
<xbrldi:typedMember dimension= “in-ca_AuditorsAxis”>
<in-ca_AuditorsDomain>Ghorawat And Company</in-
ca_AuditorsDomain>
</xbrldi:typedMember>
</xbrli:scenario>
</xbrli:context>
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

25. 25
Data items for Table
...
<in-ca_CategoryOfAuditor
contextRef=“AuditorAxis_GhorawatCo_D2012”>Individual</
in-ca_CategoryOfAuditor>
<in-ca_NameOfAuditFirm
contextRef=“AuditorAxis_GhorawatCo_D2012”>Ghorawat
&amp Co</in-ca_NameOfAuditFirm >
...
Presented By: CA. Nirmal Ghorawat

26. 26
Presented By:
CA. Nirmal Ghorawat
e-Mail : nirmal.ghorawat@icai.org
Web: http://www.canirmalg.wordpress.com www.ghorawat.in