Returns the value in a line item from a future or previous period based on a positive or negative offset value.
The offset for each period determines where the source value is to be posted to. POST can use a second line item as the offset amount, which could result in more than one source value being posted to a target period.
Since the offset can vary by period, this can be used to add up selected periods in the timescale.
POST only works on number-formatted line items.
Syntax
POST(x, n)
where:
- x: Line item: value to be returned
- n: Offset amount
Format
| Input Format | Output Format |
|---|---|
|
x: Line item formatted to a number n: Number |
Number |
Arguments
The function uses the following arguments:
- x: Line item: Numeric
- n: Number: Numeric line item, property, or expression.
Constraints
The function has the following constraints:
- The offset for each period determines where the source value is posted. Negative value pushes to later periods, positive value retrieves POST earlier periods.
- POST can result in more than one source value being posted to a target period.
- POST is only applicable to numbers.
- The time range providing arguments to a line item must match the time range for the result line item. Any formula that conflicts with this rule will be rejected. For more information, see Search page.
- A non-time series function, used as a sub-expression of this function, must use the same time range as the line item to which the formula is applied. Combining time series functions and non-time series functions with a time range could return an unexpected result or an error message. For more information, see Time Ranges and Time Series Functions page.
Excel equivalent
- No Excel equivalent
Example
The formula:
POST(x, 3)
returns the value in line item x to 3 time periods in the future.
The formula:
POST(x, -2)
returns the value in line item x to 2 time periods in the past.
The formula:
POST(x, n)
returns the value in line item x offset to the value n.
The example below shows how two cells are pushed to the same destination cell. The values in row n are editable.
The x value in column Mar15 is posted to column Feb 15 in row Post n periods later by the value n in Mar 15.
At the same time, the x value in column Feb15 is posted to cell Feb 15 in row Post n periods later by the value n in Feb 15.