# Change comparison settings

The way change values are represented directly impacts how performance trends are understood, interpreted, and acted upon. Whether you're tracking growth, progress, or decline, the format and calculation method you choose can help ensure that data is clear, consistent, and aligned with business objectives. By selecting the right settings for change values, you can highlight key insights, reduce confusion, and enable stakeholders to make informed, data-driven decisions.

## Change Function

This setting defines how the change value is measured, with three calculation options:

- **Absolute change**: Represents the exact numerical difference between the metric and comparison values, showing the direct increase or decrease without percentage-based comparisons.
- **Percentage change**: Represents the relative percentage difference between the metric and comparison values, indicating how much the metric deviates in percentage terms.
- **Ratio**: Represents the percentage of the comparison value that the metric has achieved, indicating its progress toward the comparison value.


|  | Metric value | Comparison value | Change value |
|  --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Absolute change | 50 | 200 | 150 (200-50) |
| Percentage change | 50 | 200 | 75% (200-50)/200 |
| Ratio | 50 | 200 | 25% (50/200) |


The color of the change value adjusts according to the metric's favorable trend setting.

## Change Format

This setting specifies the number format of the change value. The predefined options are:

- **+0 and +0%**: Rounds to the nearest whole number.
- **+0.0 and +0.0%**: Always includes one digit after the decimal point.
- **+0.# and +0.#%**: Displays one decimal place, if applicable.


A custom format can be applied as well. To learn how to create one, refer to [this article](/change-number-format-and-scale).

 

Ask Genie
Get instant answers or help with your data using the in-app AI assistant.

Talk to an expert
For customers: Get help with your setup, strategy, or making the most of Databox.

Book a demo
New to Databox? See how it works and get guidance on getting started.

Send an email
Reach out to support for help with your account, data, or technical issues.