# Period Stream mode

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Period Stream mode might not be turned on for your site. When turned on, this mode is only available when [streams](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/analytics/customize-your-view-analytics/change-the-mode/period-stream-mode) exist for the selected [database](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/analytics/customize-your-view-analytics/change-the-mode/period-stream-mode) and dimension. This mode is not available in Summary view. Only one measure can be used.
{% endhint %}

Period Stream mode allows you to compare two streams of data (datasets) side-by-side, such as your sales vs. budget, for selected date ranges. It is like a combination of Period mode and Stream mode. It displays selected current and 'previous; results, along with Variance and percentage variance columns.

## Example of Period Stream mode <a href="#periodstreammode-example-useperiodstreammode" id="periodstreammode-example-useperiodstreammode"></a>

The following example uses Period Stream mode in the Sales database to compare sales with orders for the last three months, for a selection of customers.

1. Click the **Customer** dimension, select the customers, then click the **Focus** button. The grid displays columns for the active properties (such as **Code** and **Name**) for that dimension, a **Total** column, and a column for each time unit in the current period.
2. Click **Period** > **Last 3 months**.&#x20;
3. Click **Mode** > **Period Stream**. The **Variance Stream** menu becomes available on the right of the **Stream** menu.
4. Click **Variance Stream > Orders**. The grid updates to display the sales and orders data, both as total and for each of the last three months. It also displays the variance between them (as an amount and percentage).

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/itAvDF3MljQXV0rjHRP7/blobs/y5QCgeaKvJ00a8Zuhy9r/616755" alt="" width="510"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## Note about Custom mode columns in Period Stream mode <a href="#periodstreammode-noteaboutcustommodecolumnsinperiodstreammode" id="periodstreammode-noteaboutcustommodecolumnsinperiodstreammode"></a>

When you are in Period Stream mode, the column headings in the **Custom Mode** window show the 'grouping' title first, followed by the individual column title, separated by a 'pipe' character (such as 'Total|Sales' in the image below). If you are changing the title for the grouping, you need to change it for all the columns that are in that group.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/itAvDF3MljQXV0rjHRP7/blobs/36VR2n3hH6gmBg20KUL4/2993262279" alt="" width="204"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

How these columns display in the grid:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/itAvDF3MljQXV0rjHRP7/blobs/SoaH57WCwDoDtMRhCurc/2993262285" alt="" width="204"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>