Re: Muddling Sub-Portfolio Data

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In Reply to: Muddling Sub-Portfolio Data posted by SteveS on February 17, 2006 at 12:07:44:

: About a week ago, FM appeared to be mixing data from one sub-portfolio into another, and if I recall, you (Mark) guided me through a couple of steps to successfully eliminate this problem. Unfortunately, I don't remember the steps, and I would appreciate the listing of these instructions so these can be referenced again when necessary (when I next screw up!).

: Of note, I eliminated my subportfolios because each seemed to branch from the subportfolio above, rather than from the master portfolio at the top. Maybe I shouldn't have done this. Should the subportfolios branch one into the next, or all from the top master portfolio, or does it not matter?

: Also, when editing the Portfolio Properties Window during a new subportfolio creation, what does the 'Show All' checkbox do exactly?

: Any assistance to the above problems/questions would be appreciated.

Hi SteveS,

It sounds like you would want to use the "Portfolio Editor" window to help out here. If you don't see this window, use "View / Portfolio Editor" to bring it up. This window works a lot like Windows Explorer does, but you use it for organizing your portfolios, and their investments. You can move investments from one subportfolio to another by dragging and dropping. To move some investments, do this:

1) Select the portfolio on the left where the investments are located now. You will see the included investments listed on the right.

2) Select whatever investments you want to move from the list on the right. You can select multiple investments at once with the Ctrl and Shift keys.

3) Click and drag from the right to the new desired subportfolio on the left. Once you're over the new subportfolio you will see the cursor change from a crossed out circle to an icon of the investments. If you instead want to "copy" the investments, hold down the Ctrl key. Without holding down the Ctrl key, you will do a move.

You can read more about using the portfolio editor here:

http://www.fundmanagersoftware.com/tutor_ports.html

and here:

http://www.fundmanagersoftware.com/help/ui_portedit.html

The branching of your subportfolios can be done however you want. If a subportfolio is beneath another one, then it will be included in it's parent's value. One common hierarchy for advisors to use is:

Level 0: MyBusinessName
Level 1: Client A
Level 2: Account1_A
Level 2: Account2_A
Level 1: Client B
Level 2: Account1_B
Level 2: Account2_B

This way, you can report on any account, any client, or for your whole practice.

If a portfolio is at a level in the hierarchy you don't want, you can move it, just like you do investments (see above). You don't need to delete and re-add it, just move it to the new desired position in the portfolio tree by dragging it from the right list view and dropping it at the desired portfolio on the left.

The "Show All" button is for the listing of investments to assign as a default cash account. When that is on, all investments from all portfolios will be listed. You can assign a default cash account from anywhere, it doesn't necessarily have to be an investment in that subportfolio, although it usually is.

Thanks,
Mark
--
Mark Beiley
Fund Manager - portfolio management software for Windows

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