# PM
URL: https://docs.valsight.ai/pm/
Description: Shifts the input node one month into the future while retaining all other dimensions. Use this when you need last month's values alongside current data for month-over-month comparisons.
**Category:** [Compare periods](/compare-periods/)

## Overview

The **PM** function **shifts the input node one month into the future** while retaining all other dimensions.

Use this function when you need last month's values alongside current data for month-over-month comparisons.

## Syntax

`PM('Node')`

## Parameters

| Parameter | Description                                                                                  | Type           | Required |
| --------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------- | -------- |
| **Node**  | Input node that is shifted, specified using the node name in single quotes (e.g. `'Profit'`) | Node reference | Yes      |

## Examples

### Shifting values by one month

Each value appears one month later in the result.

**Input node:** `'Profit'`

| Month   | Value |
| ------- | ----- |
| 2025-01 | 35    |
| 2025-02 | 42    |
| 2025-03 | 47    |

**Formula:** `PM('Profit')`

| Month   | PM Result |
| ------- | --------- |
| 2025-02 | 35        |
| 2025-03 | 42        |
| 2025-04 | 47        |

### Shifting values by two months (nested PM)

Nesting PM calls shifts values further into the future. Here, each value moves two months forward.
Try [SHIFT](/shift/) as an alternative with a custom offset.

**Input node:** `'Profit'`

| Month   | Value |
| ------- | ----- |
| 2025-01 | 35    |
| 2025-02 | 42    |
| 2025-03 | 47    |

**Formula:** `PM(PM('Profit'))`

| Month   | PM Result |
| ------- | --------- |
| 2025-03 | 35        |
| 2025-04 | 42        |
| 2025-05 | 47        |

## Related Functions

| Function              | When to use instead                                                                       |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [PQ](/pq/)            | When you need the previous quarter instead of the previous month.                         |
| [SHIFT](/shift/)      | When you need a custom offset or want to shift along a specific time level.               |
| [MOM\_ABS](/mom-abs/) | When you need the absolute difference to the previous month, not just the shifted values. |