XBRL For Dummies

The content is ok. I was expecting more hands-on examples than theory which I could get from sources on the Web. The big disappointment came from trying to obtain Spider Monkey, one of the free tools mentioned in the book. After contacting [...] for evaluation copy as suggested in the book, I got an email from their Support asking to chat with me. They asked for my phone # and also gave their international # to call. After telling him that their tool was mentioned in this book and also that 1) I didn't want to disclose my phone #, 2) I preferred test-driving the trial version first before talking to them, and 3) I never had to go through this kind of hassle with obtaining other trial versions of software products in the US, he basically told me that he wouldn't send me the trial version without having talked to me fist. Now I wish that, before buying this book, I should have made sure that I got the tools mentioned in the book first. Otherwise, not being able to go through the exercise really reduces the value of the book.

I was looking for a quick technical update as a computing professional but it is directed to the business and financial people who both need it and are in the process of being required to use it. For my purposes, the site references were accurate and exhaustive. I think it is mandatory for C level officers and senior financial people. They will find it heavy going but the content is essential.

The writing in this "Dummies" is not as clear and precise as I have come to expect from the series. As the book presents XBRL, a reader will probably conclude that the technology is too difficult and arcane to be of use.However, if you know nothing of XBRL, when you complete reading this book you will probably know more than you ever wanted.The book needs a good editor.

This book is aimed at smart, savvy, forward thinking business people and hits it target. In view of the highly credible authors, it was always going to use XBRL terms and concepts accurately. Yet it does more, in using a business friendly style and language. I am impressed by how the book concisely provides the decision points and factors that business people will need to consider. In my next XBRL project, I will return to this book time and again as a check that my thoughts are balanced, inclusive and business friendly. Well done!

No matter the subject or author, the For Dummies books have a consistent feel and style. So it is no surprise that this book is well organized and logically structured. It is an easy read - even given the complex topic of XBRL. Written by industry-recognized experts and pioneers, the book goes beyond XBRL fundamentals and the SEC mandate. Forward-thinking themes like business information exchange, system interoperability, and the Semantic Web remind the reader that there is a bigger (and very interesting) picture. Enjoy!

I looked to this book to introduce me to XBRL. Unfortunately, it's overkill with respect to introductory material. I got the impression the authors were hard-selling an implicitly resistant audience. As a retired software developer who likes to dabble in new areas, I found there was minimal guidance -- just a compass direction.

So many word and paragraphs that function as filler. Hollow, junk calories. If you want a text that provides you tools and techniques for getting information into and out of XBRL instances, this is not it. Look elsewhere. Nothing in this book will provide you a tool to extract data from a SEC XBRL instance and put it in a form for analysis. Pretty much useless from a technical point of view.

I have taken courses in XBRL & IFRS and have read many articles and papers. None of this helped me understand this semantic system comprehensively as this book. Is extensive, sometimes it's heavy, but I saw the light; I can help my company make better decisions about these important topics. I highly recommend it.

An interesting read and explains what is behind the product development and its applications for Businesses. Would have liked more code examples, but now know the way forward.

L'autore del libro è uno degli inventori dello standard xbrl, ma non è un informatico e si vede. Troppi capitoli dedicati a sciorinare lunghissimi elenchi di presunti vantaggi di xbrl. Parole e parole per girare intorno all'argomento senza mai spiegare "com'é fatto" effettivamente xbrl. In realtà la parte di spiegazione dei tag c'é, ma non l'ho trovata molto esaustiva e almeno metà pagine del libro sembrano un depliant pubblicitario per invogliare il mercato ad adottare xbrl. Il libro è impostato sul modello americano, dove i dati xbrl dei bilanci sono effettivamente accessibili al pubblico. La realtà europea è ben diversa: qui xbrl è stato implementato in modo chiusissimo, dati di bilancio inaccessibili e in ogni caso illeggibili per chi non dispone del software compatibile. In sintesi: uno dei pochi libri che tratta gli aspetti tecnici di xbrl, ma lo fa in modo troppo dispersivo e poco utile per l'utilizzatore europeo. Non vale il prezzo.

good book to learn xbrl