What this article covers: How to create and manage Custom Column sets in BrizoConsol — building named, reusable column layouts that control what periods and data types appear across your reports.
The Custom Columns page lets you define named column sets for reports. Each column set specifies which periods and data types appear as columns when the set is applied to a report — giving you precise control over the report layout without reconfiguring it each time. Column sets are stored at the top organisation level and can be reused across the entire reporting structure.
1. Accessing the Page
Go to Reports → Custom Columns from the left navigation.
2. Managing Column Sets
The page lists all existing column sets for the top organisation. Each row shows:
Column
Description
Name
The name of the column set and its optional description.
Columns
The number of column definitions in the set.
Updated
When the set was last modified.
Actions
Edit or delete the column set.
Use the search box at the top to filter column sets by name or description. Click a row to select a set and view its details.
3. Creating a Column Set
1
Click Add Column SetOpens the column set editor dialog.
2
Enter a Set NameRequired. This is the name used to identify and apply the set when configuring reports.
3
Enter a Description (optional)A short note on when to use this set — helpful when managing multiple sets.
4
Build the columns using the Column BuilderSee Section 4 for the three column types available.
5
Click Create SetSaves the column set. At least one column must be added before the button is enabled.
4. Column Types
Each column in a set has a Column Type that determines how the column is defined. There are three types:
Column Type
How it works
System Period
A relative period that moves with the current reporting month — for example, Current Month, Last Month, or Current YTD. The column header updates automatically each period.
Fixed Period
A specific reporting month in MMM-YYYY format — for example, Jan-2025. The column always shows that month regardless of the current reporting period.
Formula / Variance
A calculated column built from references to other columns in the set, fixed numeric values, and arithmetic operators. Use Formula for custom calculations and Variance for difference columns.
5. System Period Tokens
When using the System Period type, select a token from the following groups:
Group
Available Tokens
Monthly
Current Month, Same Month Last Year, Last Month, Month -2 through Month -11, Month % Revenue.
Quarterly
Current Quarter, Last Quarter, Quarter -2, Quarter -3.
Yearly
Current YTD, Last Year YTD, YTD -2, Year End, Last Year End, Year End -2.
Fiscal
Fiscal Year, Budget Year, Fiscal Year With FY, Budget Year With FY, and individual Fiscal Months 1–12 (FYM0–FYM11).
6. Data Types
For System Period and Fixed Period columns, also select a Data Type that determines what financial figure the column shows:
Data Type
What it shows
Movement
The net period movement (income statement / change in balance).
Movement Actual / Forecast / Budget
Scenario-specific movement — useful for side-by-side Actual vs Forecast vs Budget columns.
Balance
The closing balance at period end (balance sheet accounts).
Balance Actual / Forecast / Budget
Scenario-specific closing balance.
Debit / Credit
The gross debit or credit total for the period.
YTD Debit / YTD Credit
Year-to-date gross debit or credit total.
7. Formula and Variance Columns
Formula and Variance columns are built from references to other columns already in the set, fixed numeric values, and arithmetic operators (+, -, ×, ÷, and parentheses). A column label is required for formula and variance columns — it is not auto-generated.
💡 Example: A Variance column showing the difference between two scenario columns: select Actual Movement column, then -, then Budget Movement column. Apply as a Variance type column and label it Actual vs Budget.
Formula columns reference existing columns in the set by their labels. Add them using the column selector, then insert operators and fixed values to complete the expression. The formula preview updates as you build.
8. Managing Columns Within a Set
Once columns are added to a set, you can:
- Reorder — use the up/down arrows to change the column order in the report.
- Edit — click the edit icon on a column to reopen it in the builder and modify its definition.
- Delete — remove a column from the set.
Click Save Changes to save any edits to an existing column set.
