# AML PopBlock

> Reference for the PopBlock dashboard block type in AML.

:::tip Knowledge Checkpoint
A grasp of these concepts will help you understand this documentation better:
- [Period Comparison](/docs/period-comparison#when-building-a-dashboard)
- [AML Dashboard](/reference/aml/dashboard)
:::

PopBlock adds a Period-over-Period (PoP) control to the dashboard. Viewers use it to compare metrics across time periods (this month vs last month, this year vs last year) on connected visualization blocks. It is connected to visualization blocks via a [`PopInteraction`](/reference/aml/dashboard-interactions#popinteraction).

```aml
block <name>: PopBlock {
  label: 'Control Label'
  description: ''      // optional
  default {            // optional
    // --- Relative type ---
    type: 'relative'
    duration: 1
    granularity: 'month'
    show_growth_rate: true

    // --- OR Absolute type ---
    // type: 'absolute'
    // duration: ['2026-01-01', '2026-01-31']
  }
  settings { ... }     // optional
  theme: BlockTheme { ... } // optional
}

```

## Parameters

Parameter | Description
--- | ---
`label` | Display name shown on the control.
`description` | Optional description. Supports Markdown.
`default` | Default comparison period applied when the dashboard loads. See [default](#default).
`settings` | Display [settings](#settings) for the control.
`theme` | Optional [`BlockTheme`](/reference/aml/theme#blocktheme) override for visual styling.

## default

Sets the initial comparison period when the dashboard loads.

Parameter | Description | Accepted values
--- | --- | ---
`type` | Whether the comparison period is relative to today or a fixed date range | `'relative'`, `'absolute'`
`duration` | **If `type` is `'relative'`**: number of periods (in `granularity` units) back to compare against**If `type` is `'absolute'`**: an explicit `[start, end]` date range | `Number` (relative) or `List[String]` (absolute)
`granularity` | Unit for `duration`. Only used when `type` is `'relative'` | `'day'`, `'week'`, `'month'`, `'quarter'`, `'year'`
`show_growth_rate` | Whether to show the growth rate (% change) alongside the comparison value | `Boolean`

## settings

Parameter | Description | Accepted values
--- | --- | ---
`hide_label` | Hides the control's label | `Boolean`
`hide_controls` | Hides the control's own interactive controls from viewers | `Boolean`