DELTA_REL

DELTA_REL('Node', ["Dimension", ["FirstValueBehavior"]])

In Compare periods

The DELTA_REL function calculates the relative difference between consecutive values within the selected dimension.

Use this function when you need the relative (percentage) change between consecutive values along any dimension, not just time.

Parameters

NodeNode referenceRequired
Input node, specified using the node name in single quotes (e.g. 'Profit')
DimensionDimension nameOptional
The dimension along which consecutive values are compared. Default: "Time" at the node’s finest level.
FirstValueBehaviorKeywordOptional
How the first value per unique level combination is handled. Default: "SKIP_FIRST".
  • "SKIP_FIRST": The first level combination per group will not be present in the result. This is the default.
  • "FIRST_AS_ZERO": The value of the first level combination will be set to zero.

Watch out

  • The growth will always be calculated on the lowest available level of the specified dimension.
  • If the “former value” is zero, the calculation cannot be performed as a division by zero is not possible. The level combination will therefore not be in the result.
  • The function compares only entries that actually exist in the input. Missing values are skipped. To calculate the growth with filled missing values, use YOY_REL.
  • The function ensures that the links from the levels of the specified dimension match those in the dimension management. Do not use this function if you want the node to have different level links as the dimensions.

Examples

Default: skipping first values

In contrast to YOY_REL and related relative functions, the growth will be calculated by using the absolute former value as relative base: (currentValue - formerValue) / absolute(formerValue). This means for example: The relative growth from -2 to -10 is -400% as (-10 - (-2)) / abs(-2) = (-8 / 2) = -4.

Input node: 'Input node'

YearMonthProductValue
20252025-11A1
20252025-11B2
20262026-04A20
20262026-05B-10

Formula: DELTA_REL('Input node')

Equivalent to: DELTA_REL('Input node', "Time", "SKIP_FIRST")

YearMonthProductCalculationResult
20262026-04A(20 - 1) / ABS(1)19
20262026-05B(-10 - 2) / ABS(2)-6

First values as zero

With FIRST_AS_ZERO, the first entry per group gets a result of 0 instead of being omitted.

Formula: DELTA_REL('Input node', "Time", "FIRST_AS_ZERO")

YearMonthProductDELTA_REL Result
20252025-11A0
20252025-11B0
20262026-04A19
20262026-05B-6

See also

DELTA_ABS
When you need the absolute difference instead of a percentage.
YOY_REL
When you need year-over-year relative change with filled missing values.
QOQ_REL
When you need relative change specifically quarter-over-quarter.
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Last reviewed March 24, 2026