> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://smartbooks.gitbook.io/smartbooks-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://smartbooks.gitbook.io/smartbooks-docs/company-settings/change-the-reporting-period-from-a-report-single-entity.md).

# Change the reporting period from a report (single entity)

### Reporting Periods

In Smartbooks, **each entity has its own reporting period**. The reporting period determines the **current year and current period** for that entity and is used throughout the platform.

You can always see the active reporting period for an entity in the **top-right corner of financial reports**.

#### Important to know

* Reporting periods in Smartbooks **do not move forward automatically**
* A reporting period **only changes when it is explicitly published by an admin**
* As a **Tenant Admin** you are able to change the period for multiple entities at the same time, **See Changing Reporting Periods through the subscription settings (Bulk).**

The reporting period affects:

* Which periods are shown as *current* in reports
* How dynamic reports behave
* Which periods are available for manual input

<figure><img src="https://1846213233-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FswBFWX9ni1arN3lAqgKQ%2Fuploads%2Fe0we7Zcnp3kATSRYC5qq%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=a96082fd-959d-406c-a391-5aa48435fb07" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Changing the Reporting Period (Primary method)

The **standard and recommended way** to change the reporting period for an entity is **directly from a financial report**.

Admins can do this as follows:

1. Open any financial report for the entity
2. Click the **reporting period selector** in the top-right corner
3. Select **Preview next period**

This allows you to:

* Preview the numbers for the next period
* Validate that data and reports look correct
* Review results before making them visible to other users

While previewing, the report is clearly marked with an **orange border**.

Once you are satisfied:

* Click **Publish next period** to make it visible to all users

**Important:**\
Publishing the next period does **not** stop data from updating. It only moves reports and manual input screens to the next reporting period.

<figure><img src="https://1846213233-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FswBFWX9ni1arN3lAqgKQ%2Fuploads%2F78C5xYj7ORbWhpnuSlnk%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=2828a11f-b3fa-4432-81fd-34de4777a84e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Reporting Periods in Consolidation

At consolidation level, the reporting period is determined by the **slowest entity**.

This means:

* The consolidation only moves to the next period once **all underlying entities** have moved to that period

**Example:**

* Entity A is still on **November**
* All other entities have moved to **December**

In this case, the consolidation will continue to display **November** data until Entity A is also moved to December.

This ensures consistency and prevents partial period consolidation.