Dimensions Basics

Dimensions are a data type in Pluvo, just like other variables. You can use dimensions to categorize data and perform lookups.

A dimension consists of a set of dimension values. For example:

• A Department dimension might include dimension values: Engineering, Sales, Product.

• A Region dimension might include dimension values: US, EMEA, AUS

You can use dimensions to:

• Categorize rows of data (e.g. expenses by department)

• Create reusable drivers (e.g. headcount by region)

• Drive conditional logic with formulas (e.g. sumif(region = "US"))

• Build filtered rollups and dynamic metrics

Example Use Case:

Using Dimensions

To access the dimensions menu, click the icon on any variable.

The number indicates how many dimensions are applied to that variable.

This number will be 0 on variables that do not have any dimensions applied.

Creating Dimensions

🛠 Creating a Dimension

Before you can segment your data, you’ll need to create a new dimension—a category like Region, Product, or Department that helps you organize values within a variable.

To create a new dimension:

1. Click the dimension icon on the variable you want to apply a dimension to.

2. At the bottom of the dropdown, click "+ Create dimension".

3. Type the name of your new dimension (e.g. Region, Product, Department) and press Enter.

4. Your new dimension will now appear in the list of available dimensions.

5. Click on the dimension you just created to apply it to the variable.

Now that you’ve created and applied your dimension, you’ll need to add dimension values to begin entering or modeling data.

Creating Dimension Values

Once you've created a dimension, you’ll need to define its dimension values—these are the individual items that exist within that category.

For example, if your dimension is Region, the dimension values might be:

• US

• EMEA

• APAC

• LATAM

To add a new dimension value:

1. Open the Dimensions dropdown.

2. Click on the dimension you want to edit.

3. Scroll to the bottom and click "Create value".

4. Type in the name of the new dimension value and press Enter.

You can add as many values as you need, and they’ll instantly become available across your models.

Applying & Filtering Dimensions

Once you've created your dimensions and their associated values, you're ready to start applying them to variables in your model.

To apply a dimension to a variable:

1. Click the dimension icon on the row of the variable you want to modify.

2. In the Dimensions dropdown, click the “+” icon in the top right to open the list of available dimensions.

3. Use the search bar to find an existing dimension by name.

   • Or, create a new dimension if needed.

4. Each dimension in the list shows how many dimension values are available.

5. Select a dimension to add it to the “Break down by” list for that variable.

To choose which dimension values to include:

1. Click into the dimension you just added.

2. Check the boxes next to the dimension values you want to display in the grid.

3. Important: At least one dimension value must be selected for the dimension to be activated on that variable.

4. Use “Select all” if you want to include every available value.

5. Click Save to confirm your selections.

You’ll now see the variable broken down by the selected dimension values in the grid.

Managing Dimensions and Values

You can rename or delete dimensions and individual dimension values by clicking the three dots next to their name in the Dimensions dropdown.

This is helpful for cleaning up your structure as your business evolves.

Dimension Hierarchies

When you add multiple dimensions to a variable, Pluvo creates a dimension hierarchy—a way to organize and break down the data across multiple layers.

The hierarchy determines how the variable is grouped in the grid, and follows a top-down order based on how dimensions are arranged in the Dimensions menu.

How it works

• Variables break down top to bottom according to the order of dimensions.

• You can reorder the hierarchy by clicking and dragging the handles next to each dimension in the Dimensions dropdown.

• Think of it as: Show me {variable} grouped by {dimension}, then split by {sub-dimension}, and so on.

Example

Let’s say you’ve added two dimensions to Employee Salaries:

1. Department

2. Region

Your model will break down like this:

📷 [Insert screenshot: Department → Region breakdown in the grid]

If you reverse the order—putting Region first and Department second—it will group salaries by region first, then department within each region:

📷 [Insert screenshot: Region → Department breakdown in the grid]

Use dimension hierarchies to create clear and structured models that mirror how your business operates across teams, geographies, or entities.

Integration Dimensions

Some dimensions in Pluvo can be pulled directly from your connected systems—like your ERP or accounting software—so you can reference real-world data in your models.

For example:

• GL Account from QuickBooks or NetSuite

• Vendor from your accounts payable system

• Department from your chart of accounts

These integration-powered dimensions are automatically maintained and kept up to date as your source systems sync. For instance, if you add a new department in NetSuite, that department will show up in Pluvo without any manual setup.

You can reuse these dimensions across your entire Pluvo workspace—making it easier to categorize, filter, and report consistently.

Read more about how to connect and use integrations.

What's Next?

In Pluvo, dimensions aren’t just for display. They can be referenced directly in formulas and forecasts to create dynamic, scalable logic. You can even link dimension values across models automatically using a powerful concept called dimension inheritance.

Up next: Using Dimensions in Formulas and Forecasts →