Period-over-period Comparison
Introduction
With Period Comparison feature, users can quickly visualize and compare data of different periods without complicated modeling steps.
For example, comparing sales of this year with the previous year:

Set up
You can set up Period Comparison as part of a visualization, allowing users to see the comparison immediately when they visit the dashboard. Additionally, you can set up Period Comparison as a control on your dashboard, enabling users to interact with it for different timeframe comparisons.
When exploring a dataset or building a visualization
In the dataset exploration (or visualization editing) interface, there are two options to set up Period Comparison:
- Click on a measure/metric in the Settings and choose Add calculation: Period-over-period comparison.
- Turn on Quick period comparison toggle at the bottom of the Settings.
In all cases, we recommend using the first option. Here's why:
- The second option, the Quick Period Comparison toggle, is an early feature designed to support period-over-period (PoP) analysis. However, from customer feedback over time, we've found it to be limited in flexibility and customizability.
- With our robust AQL foundation, the Period-over-period comparison calculation utilizes AQL's power and an intuitive UI to accommodate all use cases that the Quick Period Comparison cannot. For instance:

Please see below for detailed instructions for each option.
Period-over-period Comparison Calculation:
- Input at least one measure/metric in your visualization.
- Click Add calculation: Period-over-period comparison.
- Choose one option from our quick suggestions, or select Custom to create your own.
- Adjust the field label, styling, or formatting as desired.
- 4.0 Version: If you are currently using version 3.0, you'll need to upgrade to 4.0 version to use this feature and other cool stuff.
- AQL-Enabled: Once your version is upgraded to 4.0, make sure you have enabled AQL for your datasets.
This is the built-in, UI-centric functionality to create period-over-period comparisons. Alternatively, you can use AQL expressions as detailed here: Period Comparison Guide using AQL.
Quick period comparison toggle:
- Input at least one measure/metric in your visualization
- Toggle on Quick Period Comparison in Visualization Settings
- Select a date/time field to act as the time dimension of the comparison
- Select Comparison Type & Period to compare
When building a dashboard
- On Dashboard: Click on the Add Control button, and choose Period Comparison.
- On the “Add Period Comparison” modal:
- Enter a label for your comparison
- Select the Comparison type & Period to compare
- Select the widgets that you want to apply the comparison, and choose a date/time field to act as the time dimension of the comparison.
- Currently, the Period Comparison control on dashboards is similar to the Quick period comparison toggle in the dataset exploration flow described above. We are working on an improved version for dashboards.
- Each widget can be mapped to only one Dashboard Period Comparison at a time
- If a widget already has Period Comparison in its settings, Dashboard Period Comparison will take precedence when you view it in dashboard mode. The widget's Period Comparison remains in tact, and will show when you Explore or Edit the widget.