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.

Before Distribution

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.

After Distribution

Example 2: Distribute by current weights by Append

For the same data, let us see what happens if we choose Append by current weights.

Before Distribution

Weights taken from East node (current weight) by Append

After Distribution

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).

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.

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.

Replace Values

Distribute Equally By Replace

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.

Distribute Equally By Append

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.

Before Distribution

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.

After Distribution by 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

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.

Distribute by customized weights

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.

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.

Distribute

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.

Distribute Dialog Box

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.