Creating a Transformation Shortcut Metric

Shortcut metrics are a quick way to add new metrics based on a report's existing metrics.

Transformation shortcut metrics apply offset values, such as "four months ago," to the selected attribute. The offset value is called a transformation. Use transformation shortcut metrics to compare current values for a given metric against corresponding values for that metric across a time period. For example, if you add a Last Year transformation to a revenue metric, the new shortcut metric calculates last year's revenue.

Notes:

Transformations are schema objects and therefore only a project designer with schema object privileges can create them.
Transformation shortcut metrics must be calculated in SQL and are therefore only available to users with the privilege to manipulate objects within the Report Objects tab.

To create a transformation shortcut metric:

Run a report in either Grid view or Grid and Graph view.
Right-click the metric column(s) or row(s) to use to create a transformation metric.
Select Insert Metric and point to Transformation. A menu opens with the following options. Select the transformation interval in which the selected column or row is to be displayed:

Normal: Displays unit figures for both the current values and corresponding values for the interval selected.

Variance: Calculates the difference between current values and corresponding values for the interval selected, for example, Revenue - (Last Year's (Revenue)).

Variance Percentage: Calculates the difference between current values and corresponding values for the interval selected, expressed as a percentage. For example, Revenue - (Last Year's (Revenue))/(Last Year's (Revenue)).

A new column of metric values is displayed on the report.