> 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/variance-mode.md). # Variance mode Compare two periods 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. {% endhint %} Use **Variance** mode to compare two periods and analyze the variance between them. This mode introduces a second period menu in the toolbar. Together, the period menus control the period comparison: * **Period:** Select the current (main) period. This is the period that appears as the first value in the variance comparison. For example, you might select the current month, quarter or year. * **Compared to:** Select the comparison period. The default is **Previous** (same period one year ago), with **Prior Previous** and **Adjacent Previous** also available. You can also compare to a predefined period or select a specific date range.

### Summary view Displays a comparison of the selected period and comparison period. The grid contains the following columns: * **Period:** Displays the selected period and the comparison period (in brackets). * **Current:** Displays the value for the selected period. * **Cumulative Current:** Displays a running total of the values for the selected period. * **Comparison:** Displays the value for the comparison period. * **Cumulative Comparison:** Displays a running total of the values for the comparison period. * **Variance:** Displays the difference between the current and comparison values. * **% Variance:** Displays the percentage difference between the current and comparison values. * **Cumulative Variance:** Displays the difference between the cumulative current and cumulative comparison values. * **Cumulative % Variance:** Displays the percentage difference between the cumulative current and cumulative comparison values.

### Dimension view Displays a comparison of the selected period and comparison period for each entity in the selected dimension. In this view, the **Properties** and **Columns** menus in the toolbar become 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. * **Comparison**: Displays the current value, comparison value, variance and percentage variance for each entity.

### Optional breakdown In the dimension view, you can use **Columns** > **Custom** > **Show all periods** to display a breakdown of the selected period. This helps you identify where the variance occurred. For example, if you compare the last 3 months with the previous 3 months, turning on **Show all periods** displays each month within the selected period so you can see how each month contributed to the overall variance. The breakdown contains: * **Total:** Displays the total value across the breakdown periods. A sparkline provides a visual summary of the values across the selected period. * **Period columns:** Display the individual periods that make up the selected period.

Period breakdown columns in Variance mode

### Example Use **Variance** mode to compare a customer's spending for the rolling 12 months with the previous 12 months: 1. Click **Mode** > **Variance**. 2. Click the **Customer** dimension. 3. Locate and select the required customer and click **Focus**. 4. Click **Period** > **Rolling 12 Months**.

Comparison of a customer's sales in the current year against the previous year

5. Click **Columns** > **Custom** > **Show all periods** to view a breakdown of the customer's monthly sales in the current year.

Sales comparison including monthly breakdown for current year

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