One thing is clear, if XBRL is to become popular, software applications that help realize the benefits of XBRL are needed. Many software companies have come out with software applications for XBRL. Softwares which are XBRL enabled are normally ERPs like SAP and Oracle, financial analysis programs, accounting and business reporting applications etc. If one looks at softwares which are XBRL enabled, they can be categorized into 3 types:

1. Taxonomy Related
2. Document Related
3. CRSC Related

There are many companies like Caseware International, SAP, Hyperion Solutions, Oracle, MYOB, Microsoft Navision etc which have come up with XBRL enabled products. Some of the features provided by the XBRL softwares are mentioned below. The list below is by no means exhaustive, but is just a guide on what the market for XBRL softwares has to offer today:

1. Production and maintenance of XBRL taxonomies
2. Management of the Financial Reporting Process and creation of XBRL reports
3. Conversion of business information into XBRL instance documents
4. Conversion of financial statement data into narrative text reports
5. Import of XBRL compatible general ledger files
6. Creation of XBRL compatible business reports according to XBRL specifications
7. Connectability with different applications for better flow of information within the enterprise.

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