Understanding iXBRL

What is iXBRL?

Inline XBRL (iXBRL) embeds machine-readable XBRL tags in the HTML of a set of accounts, so the same document can be read by people and processed by software. The tags identify figures and disclosures, including what they mean, the period they cover and the units used. UK companies use it to file accounts with Companies House and HMRC, and US public companies use it for their SEC filings. Listed companies in the UK and Europe file ESEF reports in the same format.

See what each figure means

In a browser, you can read the published accounts, but the tags are usually hidden. They tell you what a figure represents, which period it covers and whether it relates to the group or the company alone. Calculation relationships can also show how figures add up to their totals.

Graffiti shows those tags beside the accounts. You can inspect figures, search the data, run checks and export it for further analysis. Start free with filings from public filing registers on this website. A paid plan adds a bookmarklet for filing pages on other websites.

Browse filingsRead the guide
Accounts as a browser shows them, with the iXBRL tags hidden.
What the browser shows
The same accounts with tags highlighted by Graffiti.
What Graffiti reveals

Independent resources

Learn more about iXBRL