Variables
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In Pluvo, forecasting is built around variables. Variables are simply any piece of data that can be referenced in a formula. Think of them as cells in an spreadsheet. just like you could reference cell 'A1' in a spreadsheet formula, you can reference Pluvo Variables when building forecasts.
Every variable has a and an .
Forecast definition: the formula to be used for future values. Actuals definition: the formula to be used for past values.
Variables come in several types, but all behave the same way. To insert a variable into a formula, simply type "#" in any cell to bring up the variable menu.
To search for a specific variable, begin typing. You can search variables either by name, or by category. e.g: typing #Balance
will bring up a list of all the balance sheet metrics.
To insert a variable, click on it in the dropdown, or highlight it and press enter
.
Variables come in three types that determine how they behave in formulas and charts.
Number
Currency
Percentage
To change variable types, select the Type button on variable row (figure 1).
Number variables are used for countable amounts besides currency. For example: headcount. Any amount that is not expressed as a dollar amount. When a number variable is added to a chart.
Currency Variables behave much like numbers, however they are limited to 2 decimal places and include a currency icon when displaying in grids and charts (e.g: $).
When creating a new currency variable you must select which currency the variable should be (e.g: CAD, USD, AUD, GBP, etc.)
If only one currency is activated via the organization settings, then currency variables will choose that currency by default.
Percentage variables include the % symbol in charts and grids and are automatically multiplied by 100 when calculated.
e.g: a percentage variable that is defined as 1÷10
will output 10%, not 0.1.
Percentages are also automatically divided by 100 when being called in a formula.
e.g: $100 * 10%
will output the same result as $100 * 0.1
.
When combining variables of multiple types in a formula, the output will be that of the parent variable. In other words, Pluvo will perform the operations directly on the value of each variable without converting between types.
Keep this in mind when calculating and combining percentages, as you may or may not wish to multiply the result by 100, depending on your purposes and application.