---
title: "Relative Time for Variables"
description: "Sometimes variables don't refer to specific calendar time steps of your model (Jan 2022, Feb 2022) but refer to relative time (Month 1, Month 2). In this chapter, you get to know how to format a variable as a relative time."
source_url: https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/modeling-your-data/create-edit-variables/relative-time-for-variables
language: en
last_updated: 2023-08-16
---
# Using Relative Time for Variables

## Overview

Sometimes variables do not refer to specific calendar time steps of your model (Jan 2022, Feb 2022) but refer to relative time (Month 1, Month 2). In this chapter, you get to know how to format a variable as a relative time.

## How to Change Variables to Relative Time

You can format variables as relative time by heading to the format menu. Proceed as follows:

{% stepper %}
{% stepper-step %}
Click the pencil icon next to the variable name.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Click **Format** or use **Cmd/Ctrl+K**.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Activate the check box **Relative Time**.

Using relative time for a variable

{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Relative time steps are displayed in the cells (e.g. **Mo 1**, **Mo 2**), as well as in the drop-down list in presentation mode.

{% /stepper-step %}
{% /stepper %}
{% info-box %}
**Note**: If you import or reference a relative time variable in a model, it will always obey relative time, i.e. it will align with the time step it is associated with, regardless of the model start date.

For example, if you have **Month 1 Retention** of 100% with a model start date of Jan 2021, and then import that variable into a model that starts in Jan 2022, that retention variable will still align with **Month 1** (which is now Jan 2022 in calendar time).
{% /info-box %}