Overview: This article explains how to fix error 'A worksheet much have an ID to create a key value' when inserting a reconciliation field for a custom workpaper.
Issue
Users may encounter the following error when starting a new blank or custom Excel sheet within a binder and attempting to add a reconciliation field in this new sheet:
Error: A worksheet must have an ID to create a key value.
(OR an 'API Communication' error when saving a reconciliation field.)
Cause
The new sheet is not properly recognized by the Active Workpapers Addin.
Resolution
If you have inserted a custom workpaper into your Excel workbook/binder and are trying to create a reconciliation field, please ensure that the workpaper has first been added as a record against an account.
To do this, open the Active Workpapers task pane, click Add Record on the Trial Balance page, then select Link to existing sheet. Once this is complete, try adding the reconciliation field again.
If the issue persists, right-click within the Active Workpapers task pane and select Refresh or Reload. Alternatively, close and reopen the binder, then attempt to add the reconciliation field again. This process ensures that the added sheet is assigned a valid Workpaper ID.
If the issue still persists, move or copy the custom sheet out of the Excel workbook into a new workbook. Then close and reopen the binder, move the sheet back into your original workbook, and try again.