# Custom Period settings don't match in the different ways to set periods

**URL:** <https://pug.phocassoftware.com/t/custom-period-settings-dont-match-in-the-different-ways-to-set-periods/1286>\
**Category:** Product Ideas\
**Created:** [September 25, 2019, 8:20am UTC](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/t/custom-period-settings-dont-match-in-the-different-ways-to-set-periods/1286 "2019-09-25T08:20:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![StuartH](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/pug.phocassoftware.com/stuarth/32/394_2.png) [@StuartH](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/u/StuartH)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 8:20am UTC](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/t/custom-period-settings-dont-match-in-the-different-ways-to-set-periods/1286/1 "2019-09-25T08:20:05Z")

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It seems odd that changing the period is not uniform in all areas:

1. Administrator - Database Periods

There is no option for Special settings

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/phocassoftware/original/1X/aa9e0b7111428d53a56db8d3f3df36781fe673e4.png)

1. Custom Period in Grid

No option for Special or Offset

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/phocassoftware/original/1X/44f7b3493d8d2116cd3cf60a4a5e214758aa6dc9.png)

1. Add User Specific in Grid

Best level of flexibility - can use Offset and Special - why is this not the default throughout the site?

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/phocassoftware/original/1X/51c4d6056bafe21d1e4eeb58f2b41572cb99924c.png)

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**Author:** ![ShaneAngel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/pug.phocassoftware.com/shaneangel/32/68_2.png) [@ShaneAngel](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/u/ShaneAngel)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 1:37am UTC](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/t/custom-period-settings-dont-match-in-the-different-ways-to-set-periods/1286/2 "2019-09-26T01:37:09Z")

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Big yes from me, one consistent full feature period definition screen.

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**Author:** ![nicolas.servouse](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/pug.phocassoftware.com/nicolas.servouse/32/50_2.png) [@nicolas.servouse](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/u/nicolas.servouse)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 3:30am UTC](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/t/custom-period-settings-dont-match-in-the-different-ways-to-set-periods/1286/3 "2019-09-26T03:30:55Z")

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Hi @StuartH,  
The period range you create in your 2nd screen shot will not be saved after you leave your phocas session - which is why you cannot add offset periods. If you do want to save and retrieve a period range, the best way, as you mention, is to use the third option.  
Under the first screenshot, which special settings would you expect to see?

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**Author:** ![StuartH](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/pug.phocassoftware.com/stuarth/32/394_2.png) [@StuartH](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/u/StuartH)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:11am UTC](https://pug.phocassoftware.com/t/custom-period-settings-dont-match-in-the-different-ways-to-set-periods/1286/4 "2019-09-26T08:11:28Z")

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Yeah I understand it isn’t saved but sometimes it’s easier to understand x months ago rather than from and to.

To be fair my first screen shot was of the monthly option but I truly mean on the days as per the other ones. I do think that across all screens though there should the option for “First Month of Year” and the ability to select MTD in the previous period to make a YTD to the day