# Switch modes

Use the **Modes** menu in the toolbar to switch between [Flex Modes](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/analytics/flex-modes). Each mode is a predefined data view that displays specific columns in the grid, as outlined below.\
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To apply a mode, open the **Modes** menu and select one. The grid automatically updates to show the new column layout, and the menu displays the selected mode’s name.

## Flexible Period mode

**Flexible Period mode** is the default view, summarizing data for the selected period with key columns like Period, Current, Previous, and Variance, plus detailed time-based breakdowns when dimensions are selected.

### Menus

This mode has the [standard toolbar items](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/analytics/take-a-tour-of-flex-modes#id-1.-toolbar).

### Grid

This mode has two grid views: Summary and Dimension.

#### Summary view <a href="#periodmode-periodmodeinsummaryview" id="periodmode-periodmodeinsummaryview"></a>

In Summary view, the grid gives you an overview of your data across the selected period. There are seven columns, starting with the **Period** column that displays the relevant time unit (day/month/year) for the selected period. For example, if the period is Last 3 Months, those three months display. The other columns are: **Current (period)**, **Current Cumulative**, **Previous (period)**, **Previous Cumulative**, **% Variance** and **% Variance Cumulative**.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/itAvDF3MljQXV0rjHRP7/blobs/oxxgq1PDmEdy5tXGltlx/image.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Dimension view <a href="#periodmode-periodmodeinafilteredview" id="periodmode-periodmodeinafilteredview"></a>

When you select a dimension, 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 period. This new layout gives you a month-by-month or day-by-day view of your data, for example. If more than one measure is selected, more columns will display.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/itAvDF3MljQXV0rjHRP7/blobs/pQut3j6562PYkhHLMvEv/image.png" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## Flexible Variance mode

Flexible Variance mode shows variance data and is useful for making comparisons over time.&#x20;

You can determine what's driving the variance by selecting two different periods. You can also view the breakdown of a particular period in detail, so in effect, you can view data for three different periods in the one grid.

<figure><img src="https://3905307611-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FitAvDF3MljQXV0rjHRP7%2Fuploads%2Fy4O1kt0dJI2STQlSn7r5%2FScreenshot%202025-08-18%20at%2015.27.28.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1749b985-20a9-4bf5-a550-f1dd9ebf9ed7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Menus

Along with the [standard toolbar items](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/analytics/take-a-tour-of-flex-modes#id-1.-toolbar), **three Period menus** offer a versatile exploration of variances in your data:

* **Period 1** and **Period 2**: These menus allow you to compare *any two periods* to analyze various scenarios.&#x20;
* **Period (breakdown)**: This additional period menu allows you to view a breakdown of the data across a particular timeframe. You can look closely at what’s happening and see if the data is trending in the right direction. The breakdown period can be the same one you selected for **Period 1** or **Period 2**, or another period. &#x20;

### Grid

This mode does not have a Summary view of the grid, only a dimension view. By default, the first dimension is selected. The grid contains the following columns and column groups:

* **Code** and **Name**: These property columns display the code and name of the entities in the selected dimension. You can add other properties as required using the **Properties** menu. For example, if you select the Customer dimension, you might want to add the Country and Region properties to see more details about each customer.
* **Comparison group**: This column group displays data for the periods selected in the **Period 1** and **Period 2** menus (from the selected stream and measure). This data comes from your ERP. From this data, the variance is calculated:
  * **Variance** (Period 1 - Period 2): This is a calculation column showing the results of the variance calculation.
  * **% Variance** ((Period 1 - Period 2) / Previous)\*100: This is a calculation column showing the results of the variance percentage calculation.
* **Breakdown group**: This column group contains:
  * A **Total** column showing the total of the data in the breakdown period columns. It also shows sparklines giving you a quick, visual summary of the data across the breakdown period.&#x20;
  * *Repeated* columns which have the same structure (same stream, measure, and period) for the period selected in the **Period (breakdown)** menu. For example, if you select the *Last three months*, you’ll see a column for each of the three preceding months.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/itAvDF3MljQXV0rjHRP7/blobs/sIZqoaVAjtI8Z7V54wY1/image.png" alt="Screenshot of the grid in Flexible Variance mode, showing columns for three selectable periods."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Flexible Total mode

**Flexible Total mode** is the simplest view, removing all other columns except properties and the **Total** column. It’s particularly useful when multiple measures are selected, offering a clear, uncluttered summary of your data.

### Menus

This mode has the [standard toolbar items](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/analytics/take-a-tour-of-flex-modes#id-1.-toolbar).

### Grid

This mode has two grid views: Summary and Dimension.

#### Summary view <a href="#totalmode-periodmodeinsummaryview" id="totalmode-periodmodeinsummaryview"></a>

In Summary view, the grid displays the relevant time unit (day/month/year) within the current period, plus a Total column. If more than one measure is selected, more columns will display.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/itAvDF3MljQXV0rjHRP7/blobs/G7xJey40HxUrWnJIi0vt/image.png" alt="Screenshot of a grid with extra columns displayed after selecting additional measures from the Measure menu."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Dimension view <a href="#totalmode-periodmodeinafilteredview" id="totalmode-periodmodeinafilteredview"></a>

When you select a dimension, the grid displays columns for the active properties (such as **Code** and **Name**) for that dimension, plus the **Total** column and columns for any additional measures.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/itAvDF3MljQXV0rjHRP7/blobs/SLEpZhGn39FllE0SEeCj/image.png" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>