The Start Period column controls how FDM executes the consolidation process within the target system. If the column entry is 0 or a number greater than the number of the current period, only the current period is consolidated. If the entry is a number less than the number of the current period, the periods between and including the period of the specified number and the current period are calculated. For example, a start period of 1 forces FDM to consolidate from the beginning period to the current period.