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Adaptive Planning
Last Updated: 2025-11-14
Concept: Calculations in Charts

Concept: Calculations in Charts

A calculation,also known as a calculated metric, enables you to apply ad hoc analysis to your charts. You can create calculations that are basic mathematical expressions or that contain complex conditional logic. Examples:
  • Sum liquid assets:
    [110_cash] + [120_account_receivables] + [130_shortterm_investment]
  • Commission based on deal size:
    iif([dealsize] >= 100000, [commission] * .05, [commission])

Where to Manage Calculations

In edit mode, you can create, edit, and organize calculations from theAccount Tab Accounts tab in the left panel. Navigate to
Dashboards
Metrics > <your instance> Metrics. Only calculations have a name and a code.
The following shows set of calculations for Menzi, Inc:
Shows Where to Find Calculations in the Left Panel When in Edit Mode
Hover your mouse over a folder and open the more menu. Choose:
  • Add Folder. You can nest folders inside other folders.
  • Rename Folder. You can rename any folder including
    <my instance> Metric
    folder.
  • Add Calculated Metric. See Create calculations for Charts.
  • Delete. You cannot delete the
    <my instance> Metric
    folder.
Hover your mouse over a calculation and open the more menu. Choose:
  • Edit. Change the settings, expressions, or drill-down selections on a calculation.
  • Delete.
Any calculation that you create is available to anyone who can edit perspectives. They can add your calculation to their charts.

Where to use Calculations

Calculations in Charts

When you add a calculation to a chart, it becomes a data series. You can edit the appearance, data settings, and time settings on the series. Examples: You can:
  • Apply a filter.
  • Change the color.
  • Rename it.
, , , or change many more settings.
The data settings in the chart changes automatically without breaking the reference to the source calculation.
Line Chart with a Calculation as a Data Series and Right Panel Expanded to Show Data Settng

Calculations Within Other Calculations

You can reuse a calculation in another calculation to build complex expressions by referencing the calculation code in the expression. Example: You can use the Quick Ratio calculation in a capital planning calculation:
iif([quick_ratio] > 2.5, [hardware] * 1.05, [hardware])

Version Overrides and Precedence

The version in a data series on a chartautomatically references the
default version
set at your instance. You can override the version default by specifying a versionon the:
  • Calculation that's added as a data series.
  • Data seriesitself.
The
innermost
version referenced in the calculation takes precedence over data settings and the instance default. The outer to inner precedence is:
Outermost (Lowest)
Innermost (Highest)
Instance
Data Series in Chart
Calculation within a Calculation
Examples:
Is Version In Calculation?
Does Data Series Override Default Version?
Data Series in Chart Uses
No. The Total Revenue calculation uses the default version:
[4100_Product_Revenue] + [4200_Services_Revenue]
No. Total Revenue as a data series defaults to the version selector.
Data Setting on Calculation Data Series Using the Default Version
The version in the calculation,
Working Budget
,is the instance default.
The Total Revenue in the chart shows data values based on
Working Budget
.
No.TheTotal Revenue calculation uses the default version:
[4100_Product_Revenue] + [4200_Services_Revenue]
Yes. The Total Revenue as a data series has version set to
Forecast
.
Calculation Data Series with Version Set to Forecast
The version in the calculationis
Forecast
The Total Revenue in the chart shows data values based on the version set in the data series.
Yes. The Total Revenue calculation references the
Actuals
version:
[4100_Product_Revenue](Version=Actuals) + [4200_Services_Revenue](Version=Actuals)
Yes:Total_Revenue as a data series has the version set to
Forecast
:
Calculation Data Series with Version Set to Forecast
The version in the calculationis
Actuals
.
The Total Revenue in the chart shows data values based on the version referenced in the calculation, not the data series setting.
Yes. The Net Income calculation references the Total Revenue calculation and a general ledger account:
[Total_Revenue](Version=Working Budget) -[6000_Expenses]
Where the expression inthe Total Revenue is:
[4100_Product_Revenue](Version=Actuals) + [4200_Services_Revenue](Version=Actuals)
No:Net_ Income as a data series defaults to the version selector:
Calculation Data Series Set to Use Default Version from Instance
Theversion in used in the calculationis
Actuals
.
The source expression in the Total Revenue references the
Actuals
version and overrides the reference in the Net Income calculation.
The Net Income in the chart shows data values based on the Total Revenue
Actuals
less Expenses from the
Working
Budget,
the default version set on the instance.