# Variance mode

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You must select a dimension to activate this mode; it is not available in Summary view.
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Variance mode is the easiest way for you to compare current and previous results for a selected dimension. It works in conjunction with the Period function (menu) to display comparative data for selected time periods. For example, you might want to compare the sales of a product this year vs. last year, or this quarter vs. last quarter.

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Show positive or negative variance
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When you select a dimension and select Variance mode, the grid displays columns for the active properties (such as **Code** and **Name**) for the selected dimension, along with columns for the **Current** and **Previous** periods, and the **Variance** and **% Variance**.&#x20;

## How the variance is calculated <a href="#variancemode-learnabouthowthevarianceiscalculated" id="variancemode-learnabouthowthevarianceiscalculated"></a>

* The values in the **Variance** column = (Current - Previous)
* The values in the **% Variance** column = ((Current - Previous) / Previous) \*100
* The totals at the top of the **Current**, **Previous** and **Variance** columns are the sum of all the cells in their respective columns
* The total at the top of the **% Variance** column = ((Total Current - Total Previous) / Total Previous) \*100

## Example 1: Use Variance mode to identify declining customers <a href="#variancemode-example1-usevariancemodetoidentifydecliningcustomers" id="variancemode-example1-usevariancemodetoidentifydecliningcustomers"></a>

Use Variance mode to identify customers who have spent less this year than they did last year.

1. Click the **Customer** dimension.
2. Click **Mode** > **Variance**.
3. Select **Period** > **Year to date**.
4. Sort the **Variance** column in ascending order. The grid updates to display the sales of each customer, with the worst performers at the top of the list. You can now compare each customer's performance against last year.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/itAvDF3MljQXV0rjHRP7/blobs/31HLbAt4agqehFNK34tc/2994503838.png" alt="" width="612"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## Example 2: Use Variance mode to investigate product performance in a country <a href="#variancemode-example2-usevariancemodetoinvestigateproductperformanceinacountry" id="variancemode-example2-usevariancemodetoinvestigateproductperformanceinacountry"></a>

Use Variance mode to investigate how this year's product sales in Australia compare with last year.

1. Click the **Country** dimension, select the **AUS** (Australia) row, then click the **Focus** button.
2. Click the **Product Class** dimension
3. Click **Mode** > **Variance**.
4. Select **Period** > **Financial YTD** (year to date).
5. Sort the **Variance** column in descending order. The grid updates to display the sales of each product class in Australia, with the product that has the greatest positive variance at the top. You can now compare the performance of each product class against last year.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/itAvDF3MljQXV0rjHRP7/blobs/Ya9ZhWcVckmpqoQGnZrc/2994372915.png" alt="" width="544"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>