How can you compare budgeted amounts with actual figures in reports?

Comparing budgeted amounts with actual figures in reports is effectively achieved by adding columns for both the budgeted and actual amounts. This method allows users to see side-by-side comparisons directly within the report, facilitating easy analysis of variances between what was planned and what was actually spent or earned. By including these columns, it becomes straightforward to assess performance against the budget and identify areas that may require attention.

The other options do not provide an effective means of comparison. A pie chart, while useful for visual representation of proportions, does not enable detailed comparisons between specific budgeted and actual figures. Linking to external databases may allow access to additional information but does not inherently facilitate the direct comparison within the reports. Similarly, exporting the report only as a CSV may provide data in a spreadsheet format, but it does not help visualize the comparison directly within a report layout and requires further manipulation in a program like Excel to analyze effectively.