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Getting Started with arkLink for Excel

This guide walks you through using arkLink, ark’s Excel plugin, to sync arkGL reports directly into your workbook. You’ll learn how to log in, generate reports, use Refresh All, and work with your data - all within Excel.

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What You’ll Learn

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to:

  • Install arkLink from Microsoft AppSource or via enterprise deployment
  • Log in securely using your ark platform credentials
  • Sync Journal Entries, Trial Balance, Income Statement (Custom), Balance Sheet (Custom), and the Schedule of Investments into Excel
  • Customize report parameters and refresh data with “Refresh All”
  • Work within Excel using ark-aligned formatting and report layouts

Who Can Use This Feature

arkLink is available to:

  • Ark Client Admin users
  • Basic Admin users with client and fund team permissions
  • Fund User Admins with fund team permissions

This plugin respects all user permissions and uses the same login credentials as the Ark platform.

Before You Begin

Make sure the following is in place:

  • You have access to the Ark platform with appropriate fund/report permissions
  • You are connected to the internet and signed into Excel
  • arkLink is compatible with Excel for Mac and Windows Machines

Users must have access to the Ark platform to use arkLink. All user and password management remains on platform.arkpes.com.

Step-by-Step: Installing arkLink

Option 1: Install via Microsoft App Store

  1. Open Excel and go to the Home tab.
  2. Click Add-ins > Get Add-ins.
  3. Search for “arkLink”.
  4. Click Add and follow prompts to install.

Install arkLink from Microsoft AppSource

Option 2: Centralized Deployment

If managed by your organization’s IT team:

  • Request arkLink installation via enterprise deployment.
  • Once added, arkLink will appear under the Home tab in Excel.

Step-by-Step: Syncing a Report

  1. Launch Excel and open arkLink from the Home tab.
  2. Log in with your ark username, password, and MFA code.
  3. Select a report:
    • Journal Entries
    • Trial Balance
    • Income Statement (Custom)
    • Balance Sheet (Custom)
    • Schedule of Investments
  4. Choose your parameters (e.g., Fund, Ledger, Date Range, Status, Account, Entity).
  5. Click Run Report.
  • The report appears in a dedicated worksheet with a parameter summary at the top.
  • Parameters persist per tab during the session.
  • Columns required for the new report will overwrite prior values in the same worksheet.

Best Practices

  • Use one worksheet per arkLink report to ensure smooth syncing and refresh behavior.
  • Build your reconciliations and formulas outside the columns used by arkLink - these won’t be overwritten.
  • Take advantage of the “Refresh All” option to update multiple reports at once:
    • Navigate to Actions > Refresh All
    • arkLink re-executes each report using the stored parameters in each tab
  • If your selected General Ledger contains no data, the report won’t populate - confirm selections before running.
  • Maintain clear sheet naming conventions if building workbooks with multiple synced reports.

FAQ

Q: Who can log in to arkLink?
A: Users with ark platform access and the correct permissions (Client Admins, Fund Admins, Basic Admins with access) can log in using their existing credentials.

Q: What happens if I click Refresh All?
A: Each arkLink-generated report in your workbook is updated using its last-used parameters. The plugin reads metadata stored in each tab and reruns the report.

Q: Will arkLink overwrite my Excel formulas?
A: Only the report’s designated columns will be updated. Columns outside arkLink’s output will remain unchanged.

Next Steps

  • Share Excel workbooks with synced reports (no login needed to view, only to refresh).
  • Watch for upcoming arkLink support for GL Reports and PCAP Statements.

Need help? Contact support@arkpes.com