# Compare Dashboard exports to financial reports

_Learn about data sources and why some reports show different numbers._
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Dashboard exports reflect real-time data. Reports undergo data processing, which delays availability.
The specific timing of report [availability](https://docs.stripe.com/reports/options#data-availability) depends on the report. When comparing these data sources, check that data from the same time period has been fully processed in both systems.
Differences between the data may stem from several other factors, such as:
* Different time periods being compared
* Different time zones used in calculations
* Variation in which data are included/excluded in each data
* Other factors specific to each export/report type
## Comparing exports from the Payments page to Reports
Use [reports](https://docs.stripe.com/reports/select-a-report), such as the [Balance Summary Report](https://docs.stripe.com/reports/balance) for accounting and financial reconciliation of your Stripe account.
The [Payments page](https://dashboard.stripe.com/payments) is recommended for finding a specific payment and performing actions on them.
Differences between these two data sources are expected.
These variations stems from several factors including the time periods compared, the time zones used in calculations, which fees are included in the reports, and other reporting parameters.
## Comparing payouts from Balances and the Balance Summary report
You can use two different methods to review your list of payouts:
* **Balances Export**: The [Balances page](https://dashboard.stripe.com/payouts) Payouts tab
* **Balance Summary Report**: The [Balance Summary report](https://dashboard.stripe.com/reports/balance) Payouts section
For accurate comparison between these reports, follow these guidelines:
* Set both exports to use the UTC time zone for consistency
* Select identical date ranges for both dashboard pages
* Compare the payout amounts, dates, and frequency to verify alignment
The [Payout Reconciliation report](https://dashboard.stripe.com/reports/reconciliation) is available for financial reconciliation when automatic payouts are enabled. This report helps you reconcile the transactions included in each payout.
## Comparing the All Activity export to the Balance Summary Report
These two reports show your account's financial activity, but with a key difference:
* [Balance Summary Report](https://dashboard.stripe.com/reports/balance): The **Balance Change From Activity** section of the report excludes payouts from its data.
* [All Activity Export](https://dashboard.stripe.com/balance/all-activity): Includes payouts in its data.
### Balance Summary Report
To download the Balance Change From Activity section, navigate to the [Balance Summary report](https://dashboard.stripe.com/reports/balance), find the **Balance change from activity** section and click **Export**.
### All Activity export
* From the Balances page, click the **[All Activity](https://dashboard.stripe.com/balance/all-activity)** tab, click on **Export**, select **UTC** for the time zone, then click **Export** to download the All Activity Report
* Once downloaded, open the file, then filter on **Type** to exclude any payout transactions
* The filtered All Activity report should now match the Balance Summary Report