The SPREAD function divides a value evenly over a number of time periods.
SPREAD(Value to divide, Number of time periods)
Arguments
| Argument | Data type | Description |
| Value to divide | Number | The value to be spread across the time periods. |
| Number of time periods | Number | The number of time periods to spread the value over. |
The SPREAD function returns numeric values.
Constraints
- You cannot have a decimal value for the number of time periods.
- The Value to divide and Number of time periods arguments must have the same Time range.
Calculation engine functionality differences
In Polaris, you cannot use SPREAD in formulas of line items with a formula summary method. In the Classic Engine, you can.
Excel equivalent
Examples
| Jan 19 | Feb 19 | Mar 19 | Apr 19 | May 19 | Jun 19 | |
| Value to spread | 10 000 | 0 | 4000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Spread
| 2500 | 2500 | 3500 | 3500 | 1000 | 1000 |
From the example above, the value 10000 is entered into the Value to spread cell for Jan 19 and is spread over the next 4 months.
When an additional value of 4000 is added in Mar 19, the value is also spread over the next 4 months. The overlapping months are summed to provide a final figure.
