> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/flex-modes/change-your-analysis/switch-modes/stream-mode.md).
# Stream mode
Compare two streams and analyze the variance between them.
{% hint style="info" %}
User permission: **Query**
Without this permission, you can see the default view for this mode but can't change the analysis.
This mode is only available when two or more streams exist for the database and dimension you have selected.
{% endhint %}
Use **Stream** mode to compare two streams and analyze the variance between them. For example, compare actuals against budget.
This mode introduces a second stream menu in the toolbar. Together, the stream menus control the stream comparison:
* **Stream (baseline):** Select the baseline stream.
* **Stream (variance):** Select the stream to compare against the baseline stream.
{% hint style="success" %}
Use the **Measures** menu to add more measure columns to the grid.
{% endhint %}
### Summary view
Displays a comparison of the baseline stream and comparison stream.
The grid contains the following columns:
* **Period:** Displays each period within the selected date range. For example, when you select **Rolling 12 Months**, the grid displays a row for each month in the rolling 12-month period.
* **Baseline stream:** Displays the value for the stream selected in the **Stream (baseline)** menu.
* **Cumulative baseline stream:** Displays a running total of the values for the baseline stream.
* **Comparison stream:** Displays the value for the stream selected in the **Stream (variance)** menu.
* **Cumulative comparison stream:** Displays a running total of the values for the comparison stream.
* **Variance:** Displays the difference between the baseline and comparison stream values.
* **% Variance:** Displays the percentage difference between the baseline and comparison stream values.
* **Cumulative Variance:** Displays the difference between the cumulative baseline and cumulative comparison stream values.
* **Cumulative % Variance:** Displays the percentage difference between the cumulative baseline and cumulative comparison stream values.
Summary view of Stream mode
### Dimension view
Displays a comparison of the baseline stream and comparison stream for each entity in the selected dimension.
In this view, the **Properties** menu in the toolbar becomes available.
The grid contains the following columns:
* **Properties:** Displays the selected properties (such as **Code** and **Name**) for each entity. Use the **Properties** menu to select which properties to display. The available properties depend on the selected dimension.
* **Baseline stream:** Displays the value for each entity for the stream selected in the **Stream (baseline)** menu.
* **Comparison stream:** Displays the value for each entity for the stream selected in the **Stream (variance)** menu.
* **Variance:** Displays the difference between the baseline and comparison stream values for each entity.
* **% Variance:** Displays the percentage difference between the baseline and comparison stream values for each entity.
Dimension view of Stream mode
### Example
Use **Stream** mode to compare sales rep performance against budget for the current month so far:
1. Click **Mode** > **Stream**.
2. Click the **Sales Rep** dimension.
3. Click **Stream (baseline)** > **Sales**.
4. Click **Stream (variance)** > **Budget**.
5. Click **Period** > **Current Month**.
6. Click the **Grid settings** button and turn on [**Period to date**](/flex-modes/customize-the-grid/manage-grid-settings.md#period-to-date) in the grid settings.
Comparison of current month's sales against the budget
---
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