> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.inforiver.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.inforiver.com/~/changes/mS6jwvARNLHpKqBa4cT9/formula-syntax/identifiers/column.parent.md).

# COLUMN.PARENT

COLUMN.PARENT refers to the column's immediate parent in a column hierarchy. Chaining is possible - COLUMN.PARENT.PARENT refers to the grandparent and so on.

### Example <a href="#example" id="example"></a>

We want to calculate the percentage sales contribution from January to the first quarter.

One way to calculate would be to select the 'Units Sold' column of *January* and divide it by the 'Units Sold' column under *Qtr1.*

Instead, we can use the reference 'COLUMN.PARENT' to refer to *Qtr1* as it is the immediate parent of *January*. In the below image, you can see that for January in the *Canada* region, % Contribution is calculated as 14.26/34.43 resulting in 41.40%.

<figure><img src="https://3062809325-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEbkCXCUXmtUq5tcnUtZE%2Fuploads%2FNcdyrKfDGkM9J4k8cmSw%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=7a0cc193-39a3-4f87-aeeb-24c1fcb688a7" alt=""><figcaption><p>%contribution from January to Quarter1</p></figcaption></figure>

You can calculate the % sales contribution from January to the entire year using COLUMN.PARENT.PARENT.

<figure><img src="https://3062809325-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEbkCXCUXmtUq5tcnUtZE%2Fuploads%2FuhpIifh4XmzidUEC4L9X%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=d62350f8-02f3-401c-9c54-59c5c8710d90" alt=""><figcaption><p>%contribution from January to the entire year</p></figcaption></figure>


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