> 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/take-a-tour-of-flex-modes.md).

# Take a tour of Flex Modes

Flex Modes provides a set of modes with different functionality to give you more flexibility in the way that you view and analyze your data.

{% embed url="<https://phocassoftware.wistia.com/medias/kgcdwm6r03>" %}
Take a tour of Flex Modes
{% endembed %}

In the navigation menu, click **Flex Modes** (underneath Analytics), then select the required database. The database opens in **Flexible Period** mode by default. You can then [switch to another Flex mode](/flex-modes/customize-your-view/switch-modes.md).

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/6H3kJ10g1WhGD211bxy0" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Flex Modes work much like other Analytics modes, with the same basic layout: toolbar on top, dimensions on the left, and the grid in the center. They include many familiar features plus some unique ones. Their five key elements are identified by the numbers in the image and explained below.

<figure><img src="/files/SyBIYnpdtrk5lgqvMaj1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### 1. Toolbar

The toolbar at the top has menus you use to change your view of the data, and some action buttons.

#### Menus <a href="#takeatourofflexiblevariancemode-menus" id="takeatourofflexiblevariancemode-menus"></a>

The following menus are available to change your view of the data in the grid:

* [**Mode**](/flex-modes/customize-your-view/switch-modes.md): Switch between modes, which are predefined views of data that display particular columns.
* [**Properties**](/flex-modes/customize-your-view/change-the-properties.md): Change the properties that display. Properties are information stored about a dimension, such as a customer name or location.
* [**Stream**](/flex-modes/customize-your-view/change-the-stream.md): Change the stream that displays. A stream is a series of data that comes from a particular source.
* [**Measure**](/flex-modes/customize-your-view/change-the-measure.md): Change the measure that displays. Measures are numerical data values, such as sales value, cost or quantity.
* [**Period**](/flex-modes/customize-your-view/change-the-period.md): Change the period that applies to the data. A period defines the range of dates included in your analysis.

#### Action buttons <a href="#takeatourofflexiblevariancemode-functionbuttons" id="takeatourofflexiblevariancemode-functionbuttons"></a>

The following action buttons are available to further customize, save or export your analysis:

* <img src="/files/DAnDr6aGnRRJo5huRLSI" alt="" data-size="line">[**Advanced filter**](/flex-modes/filter-data/create-advanced-filters.md): Build detailed filter rules to focus the grid on the data you want to analyze.
* <img src="/files/s2Ojk3QvhFp8g7eghuZ9" alt="" data-size="line">[**Conditional formatting**](/flex-modes/apply-conditional-formatting.md): Apply color coding to grid columns based on the rules you create.
* <img src="/files/3GscRyhTLK5fX6iUXAw8" alt="" data-size="line">[**Grid settings**](/flex-modes/customize-your-view/manage-grid-settings.md): Control how data appears in the grid, for example, change the order of period columns, and show or hide the total and average rows.
* <img src="/files/vlf8RtEj6joRPjYmzK9n" alt="" data-size="line">[**Save as favorite**](/flex-modes/save-and-share-favorites.md): Save your analysis as a favorite to reuse later.
* <img src="/files/xrIWfjvvqRRlNMO0pyG5" alt="" data-size="line">[**Export**](/flex-modes/copy-or-export-data.md): Export the data as a CSV or XLSX file.
* <img src="/files/fX5R8GYD9uEPPndAShPy" alt="" data-size="line">**Documentation assistant**: Ask questions about Flex Modes and get help while you work.

### 2. Focus and Reset buttons, and filter bar

The **Focus** button [filters the data](/flex-modes/filter-data.md) in the grid and activates after you select a dimension. The **Reset** button [returns the grid to its original state](/flex-modes/reset-data.md).&#x20;

Use the filter bar for quick keyword searches or to open the [**Advanced filter**](/flex-modes/filter-data/create-advanced-filters.md) panel. Applied filters show as tags on the filter bar’s right-hand side to help you track changes.

When you are working with a [calculation column](/flex-modes/manage-columns.md), the filter bar transforms into the **fx** (formula) bar, making it easy to identify and understand the formulas used to calculate the values in the grid.

### 3. Dimensions

The panel on the left displays the [dimensions](/basics/getting-started/dimensions.md) available for your analysis. You can collapse the panel to give the grid more space.

Select a dimension to switch from **Summary view**, which gives you a high-level view of your data, to **Dimension view**, which displays the individual entities in that dimension. See [Switch between Summary and Dimension views](/flex-modes/customize-your-view/switch-between-summary-and-dimension-views.md) for more information.

The panel also includes:

1. [**Nest view**](/flex-modes/create-a-nested-view.md): Display data across multiple dimensions in a hierarchy that you can expand and collapse.
2. **Filter dimensions**: Quickly find dimensions by filtering the list as you type. This filter is available when you have many dimensions.&#x20;

### 4. Tabs

The tabs at the bottom of your screen provide different views of the data. These views mirror each other, so changes you make in one view carry across to the other. The data updates according to the menus, filters, and dimensions you select.

<figure><img src="/files/TVbFpslHBHaJhzNRGt1O" alt="Screenshots of the Flex Modes tabs."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Grid view**: This tab opens by default. This is the standard Phocas grid you're familiar with, where you view and analyze your data. For best results, filter and focus on data here before switching to another view.
* **Transaction view**: Click this tab to view the list of transactions that make up the data you see in the **Grid view** tab. See [View transactions](/flex-modes/view-transactions.md).

### 5. Grid

The grid is where you view and analyze your data. Each mode displays data in a grid suited to that type of analysis.

Use the tools in and around the grid to [work with the data](/flex-modes/work-with-the-grid.md) and [change how it displays](/flex-modes/customize-your-view/manage-grid-settings.md).


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