---
title: "Using Sections"
description: "Variables can be organized into several Sections in the spreadsheet view."
source_url: https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/modeling-your-data/create-edit-variables/using-sections
language: en
last_updated: 2023-08-16
---
# Using Sections

## Overview

Variables can be organized into several **Sections** in the spreadsheet view.

## Input Section

The first section is always the **Inputs** section, this is not able to be renamed or deleted. Any variables that are in this section will show up in the [Dashboard](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/viewing-and-visualizing-data/using-dashboards.md), and are able to be played with (i.e. adjusted) by viewers. If you do not want a variable to appear as an adjustable input, move it out of your model's **Inputs** section.

{% info-box %}
Model inputs can be in any section of a model!
{% /info-box %}

Input section in the spreadsheet view

## Other Sections

By default, there is one more section auto-created when you start a new model, named **Calculations**. However, you can delete or rename that section, add more sections, colour your sections, and reorder sections as you wish.

Add a new section

## Automatic Totals in Spreadsheet and Tables

Easily add totals for a section, which will automatically stay up to date as new variables are added, or existing variables are removed, from the section.

- **In the spreadsheet**: hit the sum icon at the top of the group/section row.
- **On tables**: add a group/section as a series to add its variables as well as a total row. (Hit the sum icon once added to see the total only, or variables only).

Automatic totals

## Sections in Functions

Easily sum (or avg/min/max...) the variables within a section. Just type `sum(Section Name)` and xP&A will sum all the variables within that group. When variables are added to (or removed from) the group, the function (e.g. sum) will auto-update.

## Keeping Variables on Tables in Sync With Spreadsheet

If you add a section to a table (as opposed to the individual variables), then the table will automatically stay up to date as variables are added/removed from the section in the spreadsheet.

Sync Table with spreadsheet

## Table Headers

Organise variables under their Section Name headers on tables (within the **Display** settings).

Display settings for table headers