---
id: troubleshooting.period-cant-be-broken-down-folder-by-folder
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/period-cant-be-broken-down-folder-by-folder
category: "Troubleshooting & messages"
subcategory: "Free space and clean-up messages"
question: "Why can't a short period be broken down folder by folder?"
alt_questions:
  - "folder sizes are measured once a day so a period this short can't be broken down"
  - "nothing measured yet usage is recorded once a day"
  - "history can't be worked out backwards"
  - "what changed shows no folder breakdown"
short_answer: "Folder sizes are measured once a day to keep the app light, so shorter periods can't be split by folder. Choose a longer period or wait for the next daily reading."
tags: ["charts", "history", "measuring"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/couldnt-tie-drop-to-one-app"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why can't a short period be broken down folder by folder?

Storage Studio measures folder sizes once a day to stay light on your Mac. A period shorter than that falls between two readings, so it can't say which folder changed — everything else on the screen is still measured.

Pick a longer period, or wait for the next daily reading. Readings that were never taken can't be recreated later.