DELTA_ABS

Overview

Description	Calculates the absolute difference between consecutive values within the selected dimension. Use this when you need the absolute change between consecutive values along any dimension, not just time.
Syntax	`DELTA_ABS('Node', ["Dimension", ["FirstValueBehavior"]])`
Parameters	Node: Input node, specified using the node name in single quotes (e.g. `'Profit'`) Dimension (optional): The dimension along which consecutive values are compared. Default: `"Time"` at the node's finest level. FirstValueBehavior (optional): How the first value per unique level combination is handled. Default: `"SKIP_FIRST"`. `"SKIP_FIRST"` - The first level combination per group will not be present in the result. `"FIRST_AS_ZERO"` - The value of the first level combination will be set to zero. `"FIRST_VALUE"` - The value of the first level combination stays as it is.
Limitations	The growth will always be calculated on the lowest available level of the specified dimension. The function compares only entries that actually exist in the input. Missing values are skipped. To calculate the growth with filled missing values use YOY_ABS The function ensures that the links from the levels of the specified dimension match those in the dimension management. Do not use this function if you want the node to have different level links as the dimensions.

Examples

Default: skipping first values

The function subtracts the value of the previous available entry from the current one, based on the order of the specified dimension "Time". The missing entries in "Month" are skipped. There is no interpolation or implicit zero.

Input node: Input node

Year	Month	Product	Value
2025	2025-11	A	1
2025	2025-11	B	2
2026	2026-04	A	20
2026	2026-05	B	-10

Formula: DELTA_ABS('Input node') = DELTA_ABS('Input node', "Time", "SKIP_FIRST")

Year	Month	Product	→ DELTA_ABS Result
2026	2026-04	A	19 (= 20 - 1)
2026	2026-05	B	-12 (= -10 - 2)

First values as zero

With FIRST_AS_ZERO, the first entry per group gets a result of 0 instead of being omitted.

Formula: DELTA_ABS('Input node', "Time", "FIRST_AS_ZERO")

Year	Month	Product	→ DELTA_ABS Result
2025	2025-11	A	0
2025	2025-11	B	0
2026	2026-04	A	19
2026	2026-05	B	-12

Keeping first values

With FIRST_VALUE, the first entry per group keeps its original value instead of being omitted or zeroed.

Formula: DELTA_ABS('Input node', "Time", "FIRST_VALUE")

Year	Month	Product	→ DELTA_ABS Result
2025	2025-11	A	1
2025	2025-11	B	2
2026	2026-04	A	19
2026	2026-05	B	-12

Related Functions

Function	When to use instead
DELTA_REL	When you need the relative change (percentage) instead of the absolute difference.
YOY_ABS	When you need year-over-year absolute change with filled missing values.
QOQ_ABS	When you need absolute change specifically quarter-over-quarter.