Setting Variance Reporting Properties

Variance reporting properties determine how Essbase calculates the difference between actual and budget data in a member with the @VAR or @VARPER function in its member formula. Any member that represents an expense to the company requires an expense property.

When you are budgeting expenses for a time period, the actual expenses should be less than the budget. When actual expenses are greater than budget expenses, the variance is negative. The @VAR function calculates Budget – Actual. For example, if budgeted expenses are $100, and you spend $110, the variance is -10.

When you are budgeting nonexpense items, such as sales, the actual sales should be more than the budget. When actual sales are less than budget, the variance is negative. The @VAR function calculates Actual – Budget. For example, if budgeted sales were $100, and you made $110 in sales, the variance is 10.

By default, members are nonexpense.

  To set variance reporting properties, see “Setting Variance Reporting Properties” in the Oracle Essbase Administration Services Online Help.