> 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/welcome/quickstart/getting-started/reporting-periods.md).

# Reporting Periods

### Reporting periods

In Smartbooks, each entity has its own **reporting period**. The reporting period defines the *current year* and *current period* for that entity and is used consistently across 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 advance automatically**
* A reporting period only changes when it is **explicitly published by an admin**
* Tenant Admins can change the reporting period for **multiple entities at once** via **Subscription Settings (Bulk period change)**

The reporting period affects:

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

### Changing the reporting period

The 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**

Previewing the next period allows you to:

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

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

Once you are satisfied:

* Click **Publish next period** to make the new reporting period active for all users

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