“XBRL is a language for electronic communication of financial and business data. It is an open data format that can automatically transport the data flow from general ledgers, balance sheets, cash flow statements or business reports. Computer applications can read data in XBRL format and import it into analytical models at the same time it is published, for example, on the Internet.”

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Source: Frank (DVFA)/Kesselmeyer, Kapitalmarktkommunikation – Schlüsseltechnologie XBRL, in: die bank – Zeitschrift für Bankpolitik und Praxis 2/2009, S. 72-74.