XBRL® For Dummies®

Chapter 16. Differentiating XBRL Modules

In This Chapter

• Getting to know the XBRL modules

• Using XBRL with the multidimensional model

• Taking advantage of XBRL Formula

• Maintaining your XBRL using XBRL Versioning

• Introducing the XBRL Global Ledger taxonomy

XBRL is really a family of specifications. In this chapter, we meet that family in detail. Although this chapter doesn't make you an expert in any of these XBRL modules, it helps you realize what the modules are and what you can use them for.

Although not technically a module, we cover the XBRL Global Ledger taxonomy in this chapter, too. We show you what it is and how it may be useful to you.

XBRL Is a Set of Specifications

XBRL isn't just one specification; rather, it's one base specification and several additional modules that each add specific functionality to the base XBRL specification. You can use the additional modules if you need the functionality that they provide, or you can ignore them if you don't need the functionality. The modules are physically separate packages of functionality that you can call on when you need to.

Tip

Part of the reason these additional modules were created was that real-world use of XBRL showed that the additional functionality was needed. Rather than have each XBRL implementation create the required functionality separately within that implementation, the members of the consortium decided, in certain cases, to work together to create something that all implementations could use as deemed appropriate. The ...