Bryant University accounting professor Saeed Roohani has...been one of the pioneers in the push for public companies to employ what’s been dubbed “interactive data” in submitting their financial statements – using a computer language called XBRL.

Supporters of XBRL – extensible business reporting language – say it will forever change how Wall Street looks at public companies, allowing executives, analysts, regulators and investors to quickly delve into financial statements and make instant spreadsheet comparisons instead of having to pore over lengthy reports and prospectuses...

...Pioneers in the use of XBRL include software giant Microsoft and Big Four accounting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers. The SEC, too, has thrown its support behind the move to interactive data, saying it may eventually save companies in filing preparation costs, in addition to the re-typing savings. The experts also say it could cut down on filing errors.