Cube introduces relative dates to automate time-based analysis in its FP&A tools

The feature allows users to select dynamic periods such as “Last 3 Months,” “Current Quarter,” or “Next Year” without having to modify the dates with each new reporting cycle. Time ranges are automatically updated based on the current date, both in Cube Boards dashboards and in the Spreadsheet Apps integrated with Excel and Google Sheets.

With this approach, finance and FP&A teams can build more flexible reports and maintain continuously up-to-date analyses, particularly for performance tracking, forecasting, or periodic comparisons.

Cube explains that relative dates are based on three main parameters: the time direction (Last, Current, or Next), the number of periods covered, and the selected period type (month, quarter, or year). An additional option also allows users to include or exclude the current period from calculations.

The vendor particularly highlights the difference in behavior between filters and report rows or columns. In filters, only single periods are allowed, such as “Current Month” or “Last Quarter.” By contrast, rows and columns support multi-period selections such as “Last 3 Months” or “Next 2 Quarters.”

The update also introduces time-based shortcuts directly accessible from the interface, including:

• YTD (Year To Date),
• QTD (Quarter To Date),
• T3M (Trailing 3 Months),
• NXM (Next X Months),
• ROY (Rest of Year),
• LTD (Lifetime To Date).

These shortcuts, previously used primarily through manual syntax in spreadsheets, are now available directly in Cube’s time selectors.

According to Cube, relative dates are automatically recalculated each time widgets or Spreadsheet Apps queries are refreshed. The vendor also emphasizes that results comply with the data access rules configured in the platform, as well as companies’ customized fiscal calendars.