---
title: "Use the PREVIOUSBASE Function to Return the Prior Value in a Metric"
slug: "previousbase-function"
description: "Use PREVIOUSBASE to return a previous cell value in a iteration Dimension of the base Metric. You can create multi-Metric iterative calculations. "
tags: ["formula syntax", "functions ", "Modeling and Formulas", "Pigment Blocks", "Pigment Boards", "PREVIOUSBASE"]
updated: 2025-10-09T17:45:09Z
published: 2025-10-09T17:45:09Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.pigment.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# PREVIOUSBASE function

> [!WARNING]
> **⚠️**Important
> 
> This function is scheduled for removal by **Q2 2026**. Its replacement, [PREVIOUSOF](/v1/docs/previousof-function) is now live. Any customers needing help to switch to [PREVIOUSOF](/v1/docs/previousof-function) will be migrated in a phased approach. We will reach out over the next few months.

## Description

Returns the value of the previous cell in the iteration Dimension of the base Metric, as defined in the iterative calculation configuration.

This function allows you to create multi-Metric iterative calculations.

> For more information on how to create iterative calculations involving multiple Blocks, see [Iterative Calculations Across Multiple Blocks using PREVIOUSBASE](/v1/docs/iterative-calculations-using-previousbase).

## Syntax

```plaintext
PREVIOUSBASE()
```

## Arguments

Not applicable.

## Returns

| Type | Dimensions |
| --- | --- |
| Same as the Base Metric | Same as the Base Metric |

## Examples

| Formula | Description |
| --- | --- |
| `PREVIOUSBASE()` | Returns the previous month value of the Base Metric with Month selected as Iteration Dimension. |

**Equivalent in Pigment:** `'Base Metric'[SELECT: 'Iteration Dimension' - 1]`

## See Also

**Excel:** no equivalent

**Related articles:**

- [Iterative Calculations Across Multiple Blocks using PREVIOUSBASE](/v1/docs/iterative-calculations-using-previousbase)
- [PREVIOUS function](/v1/docs/previous-function)
- [Iterative Calculations Within a Block Using PREVIOUS](/v1/docs/iterative-calculations-using-previous)