Dynamic Updates of Percent change columns as data updates as well as basis point option for comparison

[#1]

Description -

Allow the percent change columns of comparing two different time period to update dynamically as the panel date range AND comparison date range update. 

Additionally, allow for the option/toggle of showing the change in basis points when comparing percentages like conversion rate and bounce rate.

Why is this feature important to you -

This is imperative as we share reports with business leaders and stakeholders to change the date ranges dynamically and maintain the integrity of the data presented in the report. As it is now without dynamically updating the calculation as EITHER date range changes, the report presents false and misleading data when date ranges are changed for deeper analysis.

How would you like the feature to work -

Ideally the comparison date range would be set at the panel level and allow for only the percent change column to be present in the table (or the comparison period also, it would allow either way to work), and update based on the dates input in the panel date range function, and continue to update as the date ranges are changed during analysis.

It would also be efficient to not have to generate this for each separate metric in the table.

Also would be nice when comparing percentages to allow for a toggle of comparing by basis point change rather than percent change.

Current Behavior -

Currently the percent change period do not update after the initial calculation when the comparison date range is set. If the comparison date range is updated the percent change columns do not update and can present misleading and false data, especially for stakeholders and business leaders who are less familiar with the tool. 

Currently I have to set the comparison date range 6 times if I have 6 different metrics in my report. This is tedious and inefficient.

I also do not have a way within the Analytics UI to calculate a basis point change rather than a percentage change. 

[#2]

Being able to do a basis points comparison would be super handy.

[#3]

Hi, while I agree it's not perfect, there is some limited ability to do this... 

You have to make sure in your panel settings to select "Make date range components relative to panel calendar":

Now, assuming my initial setting is "Last Month", which is rolling... I need to make my comparison range rolling for the previous month.

So I will see: 

Comparing Sept 2024 comparing to my selected month of Oct 2024...

But if I now select July 2024 in my panel, I can see that my comparison has updated to compare against June 2024:

However, this only works if I am selecting a full month... Or if I will always be selecting the same number of Days or Weeks etc (because my comparison range is locked into a specific range length).

If someone were to take my above example, and choose 5 days... yes, that will be a problem, because I will now be comparing 5 days to a whole month...

^ Definitely still an issue... 

So I absolutely agree that we either need to be able to choose the dates at the panel level, or at the very least, have a flexible way to change the date range to match the length of time of the panel as well as the relative start point.

So a big like from me for the new idea, but hopefully what I posted can help simplify some of your current issues.

[#4]

@Jennifer_Dungan Totally understand and I appreciate you breaking that down for me, but let me explain my use case for what prompted the request..

We had a major site platform change and want to track the performance of the new site. This site change happened on a single day so that is our reference point. The way I have set up my report is the panel date range is set to the dates post launch (so September 26th and on if we launched on September 25th), and the comparison is set to 4 weeks prior to launch, as our benchmark. Stakeholders may want to see vs prior 8 or 13 weeks as a benchmark as well and that is when the current functionality fails, when they toggle the comparison date range. It also fails when the panel date range keeps increasing/changing as each day passes post launch, and we are monitoring the KPIs daily. Hope that helps clarify my need for the percent change fields to be a bit  more dynamic!

[#5]

@AbbyAr Oh I totally understand, and I am not saying this will solve ALL your needs.. far from it...

But I also don't know when or even if this idea will be implemented... I was trying to offer some potential work-arounds that you could try in the meantime.

If your comparison ranges are always locked to "4 weeks", "8 weeks", "13 weeks" specifically... you could still use a modification of my suggestion... If you use "relative dates", and create a "previous 4 weeks" and a "current 4 weeks"... if the panel just selects the day of launch, you could have reusable "relative" ranges based on your windows....

For instance, let's say there was a change on Oct 1, and I have a 2 week (i.e. 14 day) comparison:

2 Weeks before:

2 Weeks After:

You would still need multiple visualizations for each comparison window, but once built, they could be reused over and over again....

The other option is to do these reports using Report Builder in Excel, where you can have full control over your date ranges (and make them adjust to your needs)

Now, the "standard" date selections aren't enough... however, if you use the Dates from Cells option, you can use Excel Formulas to calculate out whatever rolling and adjusting date ranges you need... 

Now, if you want your users to be able to change the dates themselves, they would need to have Report Builder permissions, but if you build the Excel correctly.. giving them a "config page" where they can select the "Day of the Change" and "how long of a compare", you can use a hidden sheet to calculate all the start / end times using Excel Date Math and update hidden cells that drive the Report Builder requests, and all they would have to do is click on "Refresh Report" in the add-ons area to update the data.

I fully agree we need this functionality in the interface... I just don't expect this to be added soon, so I am trying to provide you with some ways to make your life easier now.

[#6]

Hi @AbbyAr 

Thank you for sharing your idea in the community! Your input is invaluable in helping us improve and innovate our products to better meet the needs of users like you.

We’ll share your idea with our product team for review, and we appreciate your engagement and creativity. Keep those great ideas coming—we’re excited to see how we can continue to grow together!

Warm regards,

Jagpreet Singh