Date Formatter
Last updated
Last updated
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The Date Formatter can be used to generate new date/time fields for a dataset without having to manually edit the data source. New date/time fields are created in the project using one of 29 format options, based on data values from an existing field with a DateTime data type.
The Date Formatter can be very useful for generating rollups (e.g., week, quarter, month, year) from a detailed date format. However, be aware that the result data type is (currently) a String, not a Date, so use a format that will sort properly and be aware that some charts that accept dates do not accept string (e.g., Time Table x axis). The formats that will sort properly are marked with a "check" in the "Sortable" column.
In the Date/Time Field Options grid, select the checkbox for the applicable format option that will be used to generate the new date/time field. Once you select a format, the New Field Name column displays a default field name. You can edit this name as desired by clicking on the New Field Name cell and editing the existing name or typing in a new name.
NOTE 1: You can select multiple date/time field options.
NOTE 2: If the data values in the source DateTime field do not contain the necessary information, the generated field will contain empty data values (zeros). For example, if you selected the Hour:Minute format option and the source DateTime field does not contain time values, the new Hour:Minute field will be displayed 00:00 data values.
Click Apply to add new fields to the selected table in the data pool.
See also:
To access the Date Formatter, select Date Formatter button from the Author Ribbon or click the Date Formatter button in the toolbar. Select a table from the Table pulldown list.Select a DateTime field from the pulldown list. Only fields with the DateTime data type will appear in this list.
