> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://runway-docs.cfo.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Explain Mode

> Use Explain Mode to understand why a number appears in your Runway model.

Explain Mode lets you ask Runway why a value, formula, chart, query, or page looks the way it does. Use it when you want to understand the model behind a number without tracing every dependency by hand.

## How to use Explain Mode

<Steps>
  <Step title="Hold Option">
    Hold **Option** on Mac or **Alt** on Windows while you are anywhere in Runway.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Point at something explainable">
    Hover over or click a highlighted value, row, chart, formula, database cell, SQL editor, or page item.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Read the explanation">
    Runway opens an anchored AI explanation dialog and streams the answer as it works.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What you can explain

### Driver values

Explain a driver row or value cell to see the inputs, formula logic, and period context behind the number. Explain Mode also handles rollup periods such as YTD and QTD, including month-by-month trend context.

### Charts

Explain a driver chart to understand what the chart is showing and how the underlying driver values contribute to the view.

### Formulas

Explain a formula cell to understand how its references, date ranges, actuals logic, and forecast logic work together.

### Variance in BvA comparisons

Explain Mode can analyze variance in BvA comparisons, including contribution percentages from the dependency tree.

### Database cells and columns

Use Explain Mode on database table cells and column headers to understand the source data, formulas, and column meaning.

### SQL queries

Use Explain Mode in a SQL query editor to open an explanation titled **Explain SQL Query**.

### Whole pages

Use Explain Mode on page titles and navigation items to summarize what a page contains and how it is structured.

## The dialog

The explanation streams into a dialog with collapsible thinking steps. From the header, you can start **New conversation**, move the dialog to **Move to floating chat panel** or **Move to sidebar**, or use **Minimize** and **Close**.

<Note>
  Explain Mode is currently available to org Admins and Owners.
</Note>

## FAQ

<Accordion title="Why doesn't anything highlight when I hold Option?" defaultOpen="false">
  Explain Mode only responds on explainable product surfaces. In grids, real data rows respond, while headers and summary rows may not.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can Explain Mode explain rolled-up periods?" defaultOpen="false">
  Yes. It can explain rollups such as YTD, QTD, quarter-to-last-close, half-year-to-last-close, and year-to-last-close.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can every user in my workspace use Explain Mode?" defaultOpen="false">
  Explain Mode is currently available to org Admins and Owners.
</Accordion>

## What's next

* [Command Mode](/ai/command-mode)
* [Driver details pane](/concepts/drivers/driver-details-pane)
* [Budget vs. actuals](/guides/modeling/bva)