FRC unveils Viewer to unlock structured data for all
The UK’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) just launched the public beta of its digital reporting Viewer—great news for anyone who wants easier access to structured company data. This tool lets users view and analyse Inline XBRL reports without specialist software. More transparency, more usability, and more opportunities for investors, businesses, and the public to engage with financial data.
The UK is already a leader in digital reporting. Of the 3.1 million accounts filed annually at Companies House, 88% are in Inline XBRL. Listed companies filing with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) also use this format. But raw data isn’t enough—it needs to be accessible. The FRC’s Viewer aims to unlock these vast datasets, making structured financial data more useful, whether for investment decisions, benchmarking or regulatory analysis.
Viewers reinforces the same message: structured data isn’t for compliance—it’s for insight. Structured data is the foundation for real digital transformation. The FRC’s Viewer is a terrific step forward, but let’s not stop here. The more accessible structured reporting becomes, the more valuable it is for everyone. Making this data easily available helps create visibility and enhances trust across an economy, but no doubt there are plenty of data quality and availability issues that still need to be ironed out. The FRC’s efforts to make the data more easily available are a giant leap forward and an open invitation to #fintech and #regtech groups to innovate and add their own value through the analysis of these digital disclosures.
Want to check it out? The FRC is looking for feedback—explore the Viewer here.
