Skip to main content

Orphan Tags

A tag or footnote in CDM XBRL is associated with a data source, which can be a report object. An orphan tag is an XBRL tag that has become disassociated from its data source.

An orphan tag or footnote remains in the database, even if the range, bookmark, or query that identifies the data source, no longer exists. The tag or footnote no longer has a data source from which its data can be updated or refreshed. Orphan tags get generated in the instance document.

Causes of Orphan Tags

An orphan tag can occur in the following situations:

  • A user deletes a report object that contains a tag or footnote. The named range or bookmark that the tag refers to as its data source is also deleted.
  • A user deletes a column or row that contains a tag. The named range that a tag refers to as its data source is also deleted.
  • In a Word object, a user deletes a bookmark that was used by a tag. The bookmark that the tag refers to as its data source is also deleted.
  • A user checks out a report object, and does not check it back in. An administrative user forces the report object to be checked in. If the report object contains any changes that were created by the original user, those changes are lost. The named range or bookmark that was used to identify its data source is lost.
  • A user creates a tag in an Excel object or Word object, but he or she does not save the report object. For a short period of time, the named range or bookmark is associated with the tag in the database, but the report object has not been saved to the database, so the database copy does not contain the bookmark or named range. During this time, CDM XBRL creates a temporary orphan tag. If the user discards or loses the changes in the report object, the temporary orphan tag becomes a permanent orphan tag.
    • During the time that a temporary orphan tag exists, you can see it in the Tag Inspector tab, but when the Tag Inspector tab is filtered for tags in the current object or object selection, it does not show the tag. If an object is checked out, a warning is given that the tag might be orphaned.
    • If a report object contains tags that were created after the object was last modified, and the object is checked out to a user, the orphan tag is a temporary orphan tag. If the user who created the tags saves the document, those tags are no longer orphan tags.
    • If a report object contains tags that were created after the object was last modified, and the object is not checked out to a user, the orphan tag is a permanent orphan tag. You cannot re-associate a permanent orphan tag to its data source, and it should be deleted.

      Note: This situation is not applicable for footnotes or text block tags, because they are automatically saved when they are created.

If you generate a project that contains orphan tags, you create an XBRL item in the instance document with the last known value that is associated with the tag.

Find Orphan Tags

If a tag or footnote in CDM XBRL is accidentally disassociated from its data source, it is called an orphan tag. You can search your report to find orphan tags.

An orphan tag or footnote remains in the database, even if the data source, or the range, bookmark, or query that identifies the data source, no longer exists. The tag or footnote no longer has a data source from which its data can be updated or refreshed.

  • If a user creates a tag in an Excel object or Word object, but the report object is not saved, for a short period of time, then the named range or bookmark is associated with the tag in the database. However, the report object has not been saved to the database, so the database copy does not contain the bookmark or named range. During this time, CDM XBRL creates a temporary orphan tag. If the user who created the tags saves the report object, those tags are no longer orphan tags.
  • If the changes in the report object are discarded or lost, the temporary orphan tag becomes a permanent orphan tag. You cannot re-associate a permanent orphan tag to its data source.

You can find orphan tags in your report in any of the following ways:

  • Open the Tag Inspector tab and select the filter option to show all the tags in the current project.
    • If a report object no longer exists, you can see the orphan tag in the Tag Inspector tab. The report name field is blank. If you try to navigate to the report object, you receive an error message.
    • If a report object exists but a named range or bookmark has been deleted, you can see the orphan tag in the Tag Inspector tab. The report name field looks like a normal XBRL tag in CDM XBRL. You can successfully navigate to the report object, but the orphan tag is not highlighted in the report object.
  • If you are viewing the Tag Inspector tab, you can group XBRL tags by report name. You can then view all orphan tags together.
  • On the ribbon, click Show Orphan Tags.
    • Temporary orphan tags are shown as warnings in the Validation Errors tab.
    • Permanent orphan tags are shown as errors in the Validation Errors tab.
  • Refresh or validate your project. If the report contains permanent orphan tags that are a result of a deleted report object, a deleted named range, a deleted bookmark, or a deleted query, you can see the orphan tags in the Validation Errors pane. They are shown as errors.

Delete Orphan Tags

If a tag or footnote in CDM XBRL is accidentally disassociated from its data source, it becomes an orphan tag. You should delete orphan tags because they might present incorrect data when you generate your instance document.

If you generate a project that contains orphan tags, you create an XBRL item in the instance document with the last known value that is associated with the tag. You should delete orphan tags to ensure that you always have the most current data in your instance document.

You can delete orphan tags in your report in any of these ways:

Important: If you delete an orphan tag, you cannot undo your action. Proceed with caution.

  • Open the Tag Inspector tab and click Delete.
  • Click Refresh. The Validation Errors pane opens. Click Delete and respond to confirmation messages. Any attached footnotes are unlinked from the tag, and footnotes that become orphans as a result of the unlinking are also deleted.
  • Click Show Orphan Tags. The Validation Errors pane opens. Click Delete and respond to confirmation messages. Any attached footnotes are unlinked from the tag, and footnotes that become orphans as a result of the unlinking are also deleted.

Was this article helpful?

We're sorry to hear that.