Selecting the Variance Reporting Method

Variance reporting properties determine how Essbase calculates the difference between actual and budget data for a member whose formula includes an @VAR or @VARPER function. Any member that represents an expense to the company requires an expense property.

  To select a variance reporting method:

  1. Access the dimension properties tabs of the Essbase Model Properties dialog box using the procedure in Accessing the Dimension Properties Tabs.

  2. Select the accounts dimension of the model.

  3. Select the Account Info tab.

  4. Locate the Variance Reporting group.

  5. Select a Variance Reporting method:

    • Non Expense—For non expense items, such as sales, actual should be greater than budget. When actual is less than budget, variance is negative. The @VAR function calculates ACTUAL - BUDGET. For example, if budgeted sales are $100 and actual sales are $110, the variance is 10. By default, members are non-expense.

    • Expense—For expense items, actual expenses should be less than budgeted expenses. When actual expenses are greater than budgeted expenses, variance is negative. The @VAR function calculates BUDGET - ACTUAL. For example, if budgeted expenses are $100 and actual expenses are $110, the variance is -10.

  6. Click Apply.

    Note:

    To restore the settings on this tab to their previously saved values, click Restore. To restore the settings to their original system default values, click Default.