Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I connect Fetch Workpapers to Xero?
A: To connect, follow the steps in the Getting Started section above. In summary, you’ll go to the Connections tab in Fetch HQ, click Add Connection, then log into Xero and authorize the connection. Once done, the connection will remain active until you decide to remove it – you do not need to reconnect each time you use Fetch (unless you explicitly disconnect or your Xero authorization expires). Go back to the Fetch Excel Addin and press refresh. The connection should now show up in the drop down list.

Q: How do I disconnect or remove the Xero integration?
A: If you need to disconnect Xero from Fetch Workpapers, you can do so at any time. Go to the Connections tab in Fetch Workpapers and locate the connected Xero integration. Click the Remove button. Go back to the Fetch Excel Addin and press refresh. The connection should no longer show up in the drop down list.

Additionally, you can revoke Fetch Workpapers’ access from the Xero side if needed. Log in to Xero, go to Settings > Connected Apps (or the General Settings > Connected Apps section in older Xero menus), find Fetch Workpapers, and choose to disconnect or revoke access. This will also terminate the integration. (If you plan to reconnect later, you will need to go through the authorization steps again.)

Q: When and how does data sync occur between Fetch and Xero?
A: Fetch Workpapers does not continuously sync in the background – it only pulls data from Xero when you initiate it. In other words, the synchronization is manual/on-demand. You trigger a data import (for example, by clicking Import Trial Balance) whenever you want to bring in updates from Xero. There is no automatic or real-time sync happening on login or at set intervals. This gives you control over when your workpapers get updated figures. There are also no scheduling settings to configure in Fetch Workpapers for Xero sync – simply use the import function whenever needed, and the app will fetch the latest data at that moment.

Q: What data does Fetch import from Xero?
A: Fetch imports the key financial data needed for your workpapers, specifically the chart of accounts and trial balance information from Xero. When you run an import, Fetch Workpapers retrieves each account’s code (number), name, and current balance from your Xero ledger. All of these accounts and balances will appear in your workpaper’s trial balance or account list.

The integration may also pull some basic organization details (like your Xero company name or currency) to ensure consistency, but its main focus is on financial statement data. It does not import detailed transaction listings, invoices, bills, contacts, or any non-trial-balance data from Xero. Those details remain in Xero and can be accessed via the hyperlinks (if provided) or by logging into Xero directly. In short, Fetch Workpapers pulls across the numbers you need for working papers.

Q: Does Fetch Workpapers push any data or changes back to Xero?
A: No – at this time the integration is read-only from Xero’s perspective. Fetch Workpapers does not create, edit, or delete anything in your Xero account. It only reads data. Any adjustments, notes, or workpapers you create in Fetch will not automatically update Xero. For example, if you make year-end adjusting journal entries within Fetch Workpapers, those adjustments are not posted to Xero through the current integration. You would need to manually enter adjustments in Xero (or export them from Fetch and import to Xero) if you want them reflected in the accounting system. This one-way data flow is intentional for now, to ensure that your Xero data remains unchanged unless you choose to make changes directly in Xero. (As the integration evolves, two-way sync or push functionality might be considered, but any such feature will be clearly communicated in updates.)

Q: Can I connect multiple Xero companies to Fetch Workpapers?
A: Yes. If you have multiple clients or Xero organizations, you can integrate each of them with Fetch Workpapers (one Xero organization per workpaper file). Fetch Workpapers does not impose a limit on how many Xero orgs you can connect. In fact, as a Xero certified app partner, our integration can support an unlimited number of Xero connections for your account. Each set of workpapers you create can be linked to a different Xero company by going through the connection steps for that company. You’ll simply repeat the Connect to Xero process for each organization when setting up that client’s workpapers. All your connected clients’ data will remain separate, and you can manage or remove any organization’s connection individually as needed.

Q: Do I need specific user permissions in Xero to use the integration?
A: You will need to have a Xero user login with permission to authorize third-party apps. In most cases, if you are an Advisor or Standard user on the Xero organization, you can connect Fetch Workpapers without issues. If your Xero role is read-only or has restricted access, you might not be able to authorize the integration. We recommend using a Xero login that has at least standard access to the data you wish to import (since the trial balance and accounts data are typically accessible to standard/business users). If you encounter a permission error when connecting, check with the Xero subscriber or owner to ensure your user role can approve app integrations.

Q: Is my Xero data safe with Fetch Workpapers?
A: Absolutely. Fetch Workpapers uses Xero’s official API and OAuth2.0 secure authentication to connect – this means we never see your password, and you explicitly grant our app permission to retrieve data. All data transferred between Xero and Fetch Workpapers is encrypted via HTTPS. We store the minimal data needed for the integration (just the specific tokens required to maintain connection as well as remove it in the case of a users profile needs to be deleted) and protect it with strong encryption and security best practices. We do not store your raw Xero credentials, and you can revoke our access at any time from within Xero. All financial information is transferred from Xero direct to your Excel, our servers do not act as an intermediary and store your clients sensitive data.

Q: Who do I contact if I need help with the Xero integration?
A: If you have any questions or run into issues, our support team is here to help! You can reach out to us in a few ways:

• Submit a Ticket: Use the “Submit a request” feature on our Help Center (select the Xero Integration topic if available) and describe the issue. Our team will get back to you promptly.

• Email Us: Send an email to [e-mail] with details of your question or problem.

When contacting support, it’s helpful to mention that your question is about the Xero integration and include any relevant screenshots or error messages. We’re committed to ensuring the integration works smoothly for you, and we’ll be happy to assist with troubleshooting or guidance.