---
title: "How do I create an absence analysis definition?"
slug: "how-do-i-create-an-absence-analysis-definition"
updated: 2026-06-10T11:22:33Z
published: 2026-06-10T11:22:33Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/how-do-i-create-an-absence-analysis-definition"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cintra.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How do I create an absence analysis definition?

The definition lets you specify which employees' sickness you want to analyse, and in what way.

1. Navigate to the **Absence Analysis Definitions** window.
  - Go to Cintra iQ > Tools > Absence Reporting > Absence Analysis

![Absence_analysis_definition.png](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001063685.png)
2. Click the **New** button. The **Absence Analysis Extract Definitions** window appears.

![Absence_Analysis_Extract.png](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001063686.png)
3. Enter the title of the **Definition** in the **Dimensions** tab.
4. Select a **Dimension**.
  - A Dimension is a Cintra iQ field that you want to group your analysis by (e.g. Organisation Unit.)
5. Define the **Time Periods**.
  - You can define any period or periods of time you need.
  - Right-click New in the Time Periods tab. The Absence Analysis - Time Period form appears.
  - Enter a Description.
  - Enter a From date.
  - Enter a To date.
  - Click the OK button.
6. Select **Exclusions**.
  - You may want to exclude certain types of absence from your analysis extract. In addition, this dialog allows you to specify if you want Employer's NI and/or Pension contributions included in Cost Calculation

![Absence_Analysis_Exclusions.png](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001063687.png)

1. Select **Record Filters**.
  - Extracts don't obey Navigator filters, so if you want the extract to be filtered to a certain set of employees, you must specify filters here.

![Record_Filters.png](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001063688.png)
2. Select **Dimension Data Filters**.
  - When gathering data for the specified dimension(s) of your definition, it may be that you need to filter the gathered data. For example, you may have specified Job Category as a dimension, and you only want to gather this data for the employee’s main post and not any additional posts that they may hold.

![Dimension_Data_Filters.png](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001063689.png)
3. Click **OK** to save the definition.

Before an analysis report can be produced, an **Extract** must be created. See, [How do I generate an absence analysis report?](/iq/docs/how-do-i-run-the-absence-analysis-report)