Reference: Time Alignment

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Describes time alignment in dashboard charts and provides usage examples. Time alignment is useful for comparing data from different periods.

Two time settings work together to determine the data sets evaluated in a chart: Time settings on the chart and Time Alignment on an account, variance, or micro chart.

Time on the Chart

The default time stratum, span and range set on the chart using the Time Settings tab.

Time Alignment on a Data Series, Variance, or Micro Chart

The time alignment is based on the current (default time setting on the chart), or a previous period or next period offset.

Apply Time Alignment To	Chart Type	Purpose
Account (data series)	Area and Line, Bar and Column	From Data Settings tab, set up a unique time alignment on each data series, such for a period-over-period comparison.
Variance	Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall	From Appearance Settings tab, set up a variance comparison between two data series. You can apply a time alignment to the Reference Value and Comparison Value.
Micro chart	Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall	From Appearance Settings tab, set up a micro chart on a KPI.

Time alignment settings are not available for Doughnut and Pie, Funnel and Pyramid, and Crosstab charts.

Usage Examples

The following are a few time alignment examples:

Example	Default Time Period on Chart	Time Alignment Settings
A bar chart that compares quarterly revenue of the current year to quarterly revenue of the previous year	Stratum: quarter Span: Range: January 2017 - December 2017	Set up two revenue accounts from Data Settings tab: First revenue data series: Current Second revenue data series: Previous, 4-month offset
A line chart that compares waiter staff for the current winter season to the previous year and to a forecast for next year.	Stratum: Month Span: Range: November 2016 - March 2017	Set up three headcount accounts from Data Settings tab: First headcount data series: Current Second headcount data series: Previous, 12-month offset Third headcount data series: Next, 12-month offset
A waterfall chart that compares current year revenue plan to the previous year revenue plan.	Stratum: Year Period: 2017	Set up the reference and comparison values from the Appearance Settings tab: Reference: Value: Version: Default Time Alignment: Current Period: Default Comparison Value: Version: Default Time Alignment: Previous Offset Count: 1 Offset Period: Year
A micro chart on a scorecard that shows the capital spending plan for the current year broken down by month.	Stratum: Quarter Period: Q4-2017	Set up a scorecard micro chart from the Appearance Settings tab: Time Alignment: Current Period: Year Breakdown Period Level: Month

Options and Settings

Depending on the chart and the time alignment option you choose, additional settings become available for selection.

Time Alignment	Additional Settings _{*All Charts refers to all chart types that support time alignment}
Option	Description	Period	Period Count	Offset Count	Offset Period	Data Range
Current	Based on the default Time settings	All Charts*				All Charts*
Previous	For a period that goes back by a specified number of periods, such as go back 12 months.	All Charts*		All Charts*	Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall	Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall
Next	For a period that moves forward by a specified number of periods, such as move forward 12 months.	All Charts*		All Charts*	Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall	Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall
Trailing	For the specified number of past periods including the period selected in the chart.	Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall	Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall
Leading	For the specified number of future periods including the period selected in the chart.	Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall (Reference Value)	Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall (Reference Value)