Change the budget data
You can determine if the budget columns display in the grid and what budget or forecast data displays in those columns. This, along with the ability to change the period, allows you to display the specific budget or forecast data that you need for your analysis.
While the word ‘budget’ is used throughout this page, it also includes forecasts.
Add the Budget column
You add the Budget column(s) to the grid via the Columns menu > Budgets checkbox. When the checkbox is selected, all your selected budget and forecast data streams display in the grid, as separate columns. If you also add Variance columns, you will be able to make comparisons between your current and budget data.
See Add or remove columns for detailed information and an example of how to compare the current and budgeted performance.
Change the data that displays in the Budget column
By default, the Budget column displays the first budget that appears in your list of available budgets* but you can display an alternative. For example, you might want to switch between your current and stretch budgets, or your budget and forecast. Rather than view each budget one-by-one, you can view multiple budgets at the same time. For example, you might want to view your current and stretch budgets, or your budget and forecast, side-by-side for easier comparisons.
Click the Budgets menu, then clear the checkbox of the budget that is currently selected and select the checkbox(es) of the budget(s) you want to view. New columns are added to the grid for the additional budgets, for the same period. If required, you can change the period (see below).
*If you have permission to manage financial statements, you can manage the budgets that are available to other users.
Change the period that applies to the Budget column
You change the period that applies to the data in the Budget column(s) via the Periods menu > Custom option.
See Change the period to learn more about periods get detailed instructions on how to apply a custom period.
If you want to compare budgets for different periods, you can change the dataset that displays in the Current column to be a budget, then apply a custom period to that column.
Example 1: Compare your current performance against the budget
Suppose your budget is set for the future (next year) but you want to compare your current performance against that budget.
Leave the current dataset (Profit and Loss) and period as it is. Select the budget from the Budgets menu and change the Budget Period to a future period. You might also want to select Periods > All in the Columns menu to get a detailed view.
Example 2: Compare budgets for different periods
Suppose you want to compare budgets for different periods - the forecast you completed for July-December 2022 and the initial budget.
Change the current dataset (see above) to be the forecast and select the budget from the Budgets menu, then apply the following custom periods:
Current Period date range to align with the forecast. In this case it is July-December 2022.
Previous Period to 2021, to compare to actuals of the same month range.
Budget Period to 2022, for comparison.