# Create a profile

Profiling works on two sets of data, namely the analysis (or target) data set and the base.

- The **Analysis** is the set of data that you wish to measure the characteristics of.
- The **Base** is the backdrop against which you wish to measure.

Creating a profile can be summarised by the following stages:

1. Define the base set using any of the FastStats' methods of selecting records e.g. Selection tool, Venn tool, a saved reference number file etc.
2. Similarly, define the analysis set.
3. Specify the variables for consideration in the profile. (e.g. Selectors, Banded Date and Numeric, Queries or Query Sets)
4. Specify which type of profile to perform.
5. Build the profile.

> [!NOTE]
>
> If no selection is made for the base group then the entire database will be used to build the profile.

## Scenario

As a worked example using the Holidays demonstration system, let's suppose we want to find customers who have been to Italy and compare them with people who have spent at least £200 on any holiday. To do this we will use Italy holiday makers as the analysis selection and people who have spent \>= £200 as the base.

### Define the analysis selection

1. Create a new selection by dragging the **Selection** tool onto the FastStats workspace.
2. From the Bookings folder in the **System explorer**, drag the **Destination** variable onto the selection window.
3. Select **Italy** in the list of destinations.
4. Drag and drop the Profile tool from the toolbox and onto the selection window.

### Define the base selection

1. Select the **Base Selection** tab from the top of the Profile window.
2. From Bookings folder in the **System**, drag the **Cost** variable onto the Base Selection window.
3. Enter `>=200` in the free-form box.

### Define the variables to use in the profile then generate it

1. Make sure you have the **Profile** tab selected at the top of the screen (i.e. not the Base Selection tab)
2. From the **People** folder in the **System explorer**, drag and drop each of the variables **Title**, **Occupation**, **Income** and **Source** in turn onto the Profile window.
3. Click the **Build** button to build the profile.

For help on interpreting the profile results see [Interpret the profile results](<https://help.apteco.com/en/faststats/modelling/profile/interpret-results/index.md>).