How and When do I use the "Previous Interval" Setting?

See your metric data in context—use Previous Interval to view the most recently completed period.

What Is the Previous Interval Setting?

The Previous Interval setting allows you to display and update metric data based on the most recently completed time period—rather than the current one.

When this option is enabled, the metric’s "Actual" value will reflect the previous interval based on the frequency you've set (e.g., previous day, previous week, or previous month).

This is particularly useful when your data reflects results that have just happened, rather than what's occurring in real time.

When Should You Use Previous Interval?

Use Previous Interval when you’re reporting on completed time periods rather than real-time performance.

For example:

  • Number of New Customers (Weekly Metric)
    If you're reporting how many customers you gained last week, it makes sense to enable Previous Interval, because the data is finalized only after the week ends.

  • Website Visitors (Daily Metric)
    If you're checking the total number of visitors from yesterday, Previous Interval is appropriate here too.

In contrast, metrics like Total Revenue or Operating Cash are often monitored in real time and should usually reflect the current day's values—so Previous Interval would not be selected.

How Frequency Affects Previous Interval

The interval shown is based on the frequency of the metric:

  • Daily frequency = shows yesterday’s data

  • Weekly frequency = shows last week’s data

  • Monthly frequency = shows last month’s data

This ensures you're reviewing the most recent complete period, which is especially helpful in reporting and team discussions.

Note: Please note the Previous Interval does not currently work if a metric is set to a Quarterly frequency since Metronome prioritizes visibility on metrics in the current quarter.

How to Enable Previous Interval

  1. Navigate to the Metric Settings (click the metric name to show it's properties on the right).

  2. Locate the Show Previous Interval box.

  3. Check this box to display and input data for the previous interval instead of the current one.

Viewing Metrics in Meetings

In weekly meetings—especially those held early in the week—it often makes sense to display metrics from the previous week, since the current week’s data is still unfolding.

To do this, simply turn on Show Previous Interval for the relevant metrics ahead of the meeting. This ensures your team is discussing complete and finalized data during check-ins or reviews.

Summary

Use "Previous Interval" when:

  • You're reporting after the fact

  • Your metric data is based on completed periods

  • You want more accurate reflections of team performance in meetings

Avoid using it when:

  • You want to track live performance

  • Your metric updates in real time (e.g., cash on hand, deals closed today)