# Distribute The total value of a node can be allocated horizontally (to its periods) or vertically (to its dependents) by way of Distribute. ## **1. Distribute Total to Periods (Horizontal Distribution)** The value of a total node is distributed horizontally to its periods in the below examples. They can be done in two ways: 1.1. Distribute by Weights 1.2. Distribute Equally ## 1.1. Distribute by weights The total value of the cell is distributed to its periods by its **initial** weights or by **customized weights** taken from a different node that you choose. The values can be replaced or appended. ### **Example 1: Distribute by Customized Weights by Replace** Consider the data below.

The total of the *East* node is changed from 30 to 120 and the Distribution option chosen here is '**Replace by Weights'** of the *Midwest* node.

**Weights taken from** **Midwest** **node by Replace**

Since we chose Replace, the new total 120 itself is distributed based on the spread of the *Midwest* node (ratio of 1:2:3) by overwriting existing period values. The parent node's *Overall Result* also gets changed as a result of this action.

### Example 2: Distribute by current weights by Append For the same data, let us see what happens if we choose Append by current weights.

**Weights taken from** **East** **node (current weight) by Append**

As you can see, the delta value of 90 (120-30) only is distributed using their current weights yielding 40,40, and 40 (10+30, 10+30, 10+30). {% hint style="info" %} **Note:** When you distribute a total value using the **current weights,** both **Replace** and **Append** options would yield the same results as both are logically the same when using the current weights. So in the above example, using the Replace option instead of 'Append' would also give the same result. {% endhint %} ## 1.2. Distribute Equally The total value of the node can be equally distributed to periods. ### Example 1: Distribute Equally to Periods by Replace In the below example, the new value of 120 in *Midwest* node is distributed to the three periods equally as 40,40 and 40 by replacing their old values.

### Example 2: Distribute Equally to Periods by Append For the same example explained above if we had chosen **Append Values**, you would get the below results. Only the delta value of 60 (120-60) is distributed equally to the three periods yielding 30,40 and 50.

## 2. Nodes with Dependencies In the case of nodes with dependencies, along with the weights being distributed horizontally, they are also distributed vertically to their dependents. ### Example 1: Distribute to Periods and Dependents by Current Weights and by Replace Consider the data below.

*Overall Result* node is changed from 90 to 270 and the new value 270 is distributed to **dependents** - *East* and *Midwest* nodes **as well as to the periods** based on their current weights.

**Distribute periods and dependencies by weights- by Replace**

As seen from the image below, the new total of 270 is distributed between *East* and *Midwest* with their current weights of 1:2 respectively. Also, the period-wise distribution is based on their initial weights.

### Example 2: Distribute to dependencies only - equally You can distribute the total of a period node **only to its dependencies** without impacting other periods. The example below shows such a case where the value of 6k in *Jan* node is distributed only to its dependencies equally. Its impact is carried over to the top nodes as well.

**Distribute equally to** **Jan's** **dependents**

### Example 3: Distribute to dependencies only - with customized weights In the below image, the desired series and period have been chosen through the **Select Series** and **Period** dropdown list from which the new weights would be derived. The value of 6k would be distributed accordingly only to its dependencies and up to the top.

{% hint style="info" %} The value can be appended or replaced. **Append** option adds the delta value to the present value while **Replace** overwrites the present value with a new value. {% endhint %} ## 3. Distribute using the Distribute Dialog Box **Distribute** is enabled in the Action Menu Bar whenever you click on a cell that has a total. **Step 1:** Click on the required cell and click **Distribute** on the Action Menu Bar.

**Step 2:** In the dialog box, enter the total value you want. Choose to distribute it to the periods by weights or equally. In the example below, we are choosing to distribute equally.

**Step 3:** If the node has dependencies, it provides another option where you can choose to distribute the new total to its dependents equally or by weights. You can also choose the series name from which the weights should be taken. In this example, we are distributing by weights that are taken from *Plan Series 1*. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.valq.com/plan/allocation-features/distribute.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.