> 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/customize-your-view/switch-modes.md). # Switch modes Quickly change which columns and data appear in the grid. Use the **Mode** menu to switch between predefined data views and analyse your data in different ways.

All modes include the standard menus in the toolbar: **Mode**, **Stream**, **Measure** and **Period**. Some modes include additional menus. Each mode has **Summary** and **Dimension** views. Summary view gives you a high-level view of the data, whereas Dimension view shows individual entities in a selected dimension. See [Switch between Summary and Dimension views](/flex-modes/customize-your-view/switch-between-summary-and-dimension-views.md) to learn how to move between these views. ## Period mode Use **Period** mode to analyse values over time. {% hint style="success" %} Use the **Measures** menu to add more measure columns to the grid. {% endhint %} ### Summary view Displays the values for each period in the selected date range. 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. * **Value**: Displays the value for each period. * **Cumulative Value**: Displays a running total of the values up to and including each period.

### Dimension view Displays the values 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. * **Total**: Displays the total value for each entity across the selected period. A sparkline provides a visual summary of the trend over the selected period. * **Period columns**: Display the value for each period within the selected date range. For example, when you select **Rolling 12 Months**, the grid displays a column for each month in the rolling 12-month period.

### Example Use **Period** mode to view daily sales by product class for the previous month: 1. Click **Mode** > **Period**. 2. Click the **Product Class** dimension. 3. Click **Period** > **Select dates**. 4. Select the **Day** period type. 5. Select the first and last days of the previous month, then click **Apply**.

Using the Select dates feature to apply a custom date range

Daily sales of each product class in June 2026

## Variance mode Use **Variance** mode to compare two periods and analyse 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

## Total mode Use **Total** mode to view the total value for the selected period. Unlike **Period** mode, **Total** mode displays only the total value and does not include cumulative values. Total mode is the simplest view of your data. It is particularly useful when multiple measures are selected because it provides a clear, uncluttered summary of your data. {% hint style="success" %} Use the **Measures** menu to add more measure columns to the grid. {% endhint %} ### Summary view Displays the total value for each period within the selected date range. 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. * **Value:** Displays the total value for each period.

### Dimension view Displays the total value 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. * **Value:** Displays the total value for each entity across the selected period.

### Example Use **Total** mode to view the total number of products sold this year to date (YTD): 1. Click **Mode** > **Total**. 2. Click the **Product** dimension. 3. Click **Measures** > **Quantity** and clear any other selected measures. 4. Click **Period** > **FYTD**.

Quantity of each product sold in the financial year to date

## Stream mode {% hint style="info" %} 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 analyse 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.

### 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.

### 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-your-view/manage-grid-settings.md#period-to-date) in the grid settings.

Comparison of current month's sales against the budget

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