Compare Time Periods on the Dashboard
Use the date filter to compare week-over-week and month-over-month performance directly on your dashboard.
What this guide covers
This guide explains how to compare different time periods on the dashboard to spot trends, measure growth, and identify seasonal patterns. You will learn how to switch between preset ranges and use custom dates for precise comparisons.
How period comparison works
Some KPI cards include a comparison indicator that shows how the current period compares to the previous one. When you select "This Month," the comparison shows the change from last month.
- Green arrow up -- The metric improved compared to the previous period
- Red arrow down -- The metric declined compared to the previous period
- Percentage -- The size of the change
Screenshot: Revenue KPI card showing "$47,250" with a green up arrow and "+12%" indicating revenue increased 12% compared to the previous month
Manual comparison method
For a more detailed comparison, switch between two date ranges and note the numbers:
- Set the filter to This Month and write down your key numbers
- Switch to Last Month and compare
- Calculate the change yourself for each metric
Tip: Use a simple spreadsheet to track these numbers weekly. After a few months, you will have your own trend history that goes beyond what the sparklines show.
Common comparison scenarios
| Comparison | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Week-over-week | Switch between "This Week" and a custom range for last week |
| Month-over-month | Switch between "This Month" and "Last Month" |
| Quarter-over-quarter | Switch between "This Quarter" and a custom range for last quarter |
| Year-over-year | Use custom ranges to select the same month in different years |
Animation: A user clicking the date filter, selecting "This Month", noting the Revenue as $47,250, then switching to "Last Month", seeing Revenue as $42,100, and mentally calculating the 12% improvement
Using sparklines for quick trend reading
Every KPI card sparkline shows six months of history, providing a visual comparison without switching filters. A quick upward slope means improvement across multiple months.
Screenshot: Three KPI cards side by side, each with a sparkline underneath. Revenue sparkline shows steady upward trend, Pending Quotes shows a V-shape recovery, and Outstanding Invoices shows a declining trend (good)
Note: Sparklines always show six months regardless of the selected date filter. This means even when viewing a single day's data, you can still see the long-term trend.
Seasonal comparison tips
If your business is seasonal (e.g., HVAC, landscaping):
- Compare the same month year-over-year rather than month-over-month
- Use custom date ranges to select March 2025 vs. March 2026
- Expect natural dips and peaks -- the goal is to outperform the same period last year
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