What is the Exchange Difference KPI?
The Exchange Difference KPI displays the gap created between the conversion rates used for transactions and those applied to account balances. It highlights non-transactional shifts when you consolidate cashflow from multiple currencies.
When is the KPI Available?
It appears only if you use ≥ 2 different currencies on your bank accounts.
It is visible in consolidated views with weekly, monthly, or quarterly frequencies (not daily).
It is shown for past offsets only; current and future offsets do not display this KPI.
It can be toggled on or off from the KPI advanced settings and is included in exports.
How is the KPI Calculated?
Start with the cash balance at the beginning of the period.
Add inflows and subtract outflows from that balance.
Include adjustments from ignored paid transactions and remove transactions from ignored accounts.
Add the exchange difference calculated as the gap between conversion rates:
The ending balance for each account using the conversion rate of the first day of the next period versus
The balance computed with each transaction’s own exchange rate.
For clarity, the calculation is:
Beginning cash balance + Inflows - Outflows + Ignored paid transactions - Transactions from ignored accounts + Exchange difference = Ending cash balance
The final balance for each account in a consolidated view uses the exchange rate from the first day of the next period, making the difference noticeable.
How Do You Use the KPI in the App?
Access your cashflow plan: Ensure you are in the consolidated view with multi-currency data.
Set your frequency: Use a weekly, monthly, or quarterly view (daily frequency won’t show the KPI).
Check KPI settings: Visit the advanced KPI settings to hide or reveal the Exchange Difference KPI as desired.
Export data: The KPI is automatically included in exports if the necessary conditions are met.
Practical Example
Imagine you manage two accounts: Account A in EUR and Account B in USD. Although no new transactions occur, the exchange rate used to convert Account B’s ending balance (applied from the first day of the next period) may differ from the rate used per transaction. This difference appears as an Exchange Difference—e.g., a €5 gap—illustrating the impact of rate changes on your consolidated cash balance.
💡 Tips
Review your settings: Confirm your bank accounts’ currencies and the cashflow frequency to view the KPI correctly.
Use exports: Analyze historical trends by exporting data that includes the Exchange Difference KPI.
Keep in mind the KPI only applies to past periods, so plan your analysis accordingly.
FAQ ❓
How do I enable or disable the Exchange Difference KPI?
You can manage its visibility via the KPI advanced settings panel. Simply toggle the option to hide or show the KPI, and it will be reflected in both your cashflow plan and exports.
Why isn’t the Exchange Difference KPI visible for current and future offsets?
For current offsets, some transactions are already paid and converted, while others are pending with estimations based on today’s rates. For future offsets, accurate exchange rates cannot be predicted, so by default the KPI is hidden (or always null) to avoid confusion.
How accurate is the Exchange Difference KPI?
It accurately reflects the technical calculation gap between using individual transaction exchange rates and applying a uniform rate for the ending balance. This technical difference, well known among finance professionals, does not represent actual gains or losses.
How is the KPI calculated if I have multiple currencies?
Each account’s ending balance is first computed using its own transaction rates, then converted using the exchange rate from the first day of the following period. The KPI shows the cumulative difference between these two methods for all accounts in the consolidated view.