Use Custom Spreading

Custom spreading is an advanced feature that distributes values across data points based on a different dataset.

Custom spreading differs from standard dynamic spreading:

• Dynamic spreading: Distributes a total value across cells based on the percentage of each cell's original value. When you change the total, the individual values update proportionally.
• Custom spreading: Distributes a total value across cells based on proportions from a different dataset. This feature modifies only the values under the totals, not the total itself.

Enable Custom Spreading

To enable custom spreading:

1. Go to the Format pane and select the Visual tab.
2. Expand the Custom Spread setting.
3. Enter how many data versions you want to work with in your report in the number field.
4. Select the data tables, fields, or smart filters you want to use for custom spreading. The number of selections available depends on the number of versions you specified.

Spread Values in Your Data Table

Important: Custom spreading works only on totals, such as row totals, column totals, or grand totals.

To spread values:

1. Right-click the total value you want to spread.
2. Select Spread cell.
3. In the Select Reference Version dialog box, select the dataset you want to use to spread the selected total:
   1. Select the version you want to use as a reference.
   2. Select the individual column fields. The available fields depend on the level of the total value you selected to spread.
4. (Optional) Select Advanced Config to choose additional data fields for custom spreading. For example, if you are spreading a total by year and quarter, you can also add a brand field to see how different brands perform with different values.
5. Select Apply.

The feature distributes the total value across the underlying cells based on the proportional distribution from your selected dataset. The updated cells appear highlighted in your report.

Note: After you apply custom spreading to cells, you cannot modify the total value.

Examples

Basic example: Spread budget by regional forecast

You have a $500,000 Q1 2025 budget currently split equally across three regions. You want to redistribute it based on your Q1 2024 forecast proportions instead.

When you apply custom spreading using the Q1 2024 Forecast version, the budget redistributes according to forecast performance. If your forecast shows North region at 50%, South at 25%, and West at 25%, your new allocation becomes $250,000, $125,000, and $125,000 respectively.

Advanced example: Spread budget across multiple dimensions

You have a $1,000,000 annual marketing budget to distribute across three product lines and two sales channels.

Using advanced configuration, you can add both Product Line and Sales Channel fields along with Year. The feature distributes your budget based on forecast data for each combination. For example, if your forecast shows Electronics performing better online (60%) than in retail (40%), your allocation reflects this pattern across all product and channel combinations.