Why use a dedicated VSME tool instead of Word or Excel?

Manual reports in Word/Excel often lead to inconsistent data, formatting errors, and wasted time; dedicated tools automate calculations and ensure compliance with the standard[81].

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Why use a dedicated VSME tool instead of Word or Excel?

Short answer: Manual reports in Word/Excel often lead to inconsistent data, formatting errors, and wasted time; dedicated tools automate calculations and ensure compliance with the standard[81].

Writing a VSME report in Word or Excel seems obvious at first, but it carries risks. GoClimate notes that manual methods can lead to inconsistent data and missing requirements[81]. Incorrect calculations—especially for climate data—have to be fixed later, which costs time and money. Dedicated VSME tools ensure all mandatory data points are collected, run automatic plausibility checks, and calculate emissions based on accounting data[82]. GoClimate's tool, for example, can produce a report in less than two hours, including prefilled emissions data[82]. The software exports the result in a VSME-compliant format and avoids costly mistakes.

Recommended alternatives to manual Excel/Word:

  • EFRAG Digital Template - Free Excel template with built-in validation and XBRL export (upgrade from plain Excel)
  • SUSTAIN REPUBLIC - AI-powered cloud platform from €149/year with automatic plausibility checks and guided data entry
  • Planted - Free plan or from €169/month with integrated CO₂ calculations to avoid manual errors

Sources: [81], [82] Comparing the Top 5 VSME Tools | GoClimate

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