Displaying Dates Not in your Data Source on an Axis

Published: 17 Jan 2017
Last Modified Date: 20 Jul 2023

Question

How to display dates which is not included the data source as an axis?
For example, the data source has data starting from 01/01/2011, but you want to display 01/01/2010 to 12/31/2010 on an axis.

Environment

Tableau Desktop

Answer

Step 1: Create a Placeholder data set with the following structure:
Record
1
2

See the attached placeholder placeholder data.xlsx file for an example.

Step 2: Connect to the data

Connect to placeholder data.xlsx.
Connect to sample SuperStore data set.

Step 3: Create Start and End Date Parameters

In the Data window, click the drop-down arrow at the top right of Dimensions, and then select Create Parameter.
In the Create Parameter dialog box, name the parameter. In the example workbook, the parameter is named Start Date.
Under Data Type, select Date.
Under Allowable values, select Range.
Set the minimum value to 1/1/2010 and the maximum value to 12/31/2011.
Under Step Size, select 1 (months).
When finished, click OK.
Right-click the parameter and then select Show Parameter Control.
Repeat steps 1-7 to create an End Date parameter.

Step 4: Create a Date Calculated Field

With placeholder data selected, select Analysis > Create Calculated Field.
In the Calculated Field dialog box that opens, type a name for the field. In this example, Order Date.
In the Formula box, type the following formula:

CASE [Record]
WHEN 1 THEN [Start Date]
WHEN 2 THEN [End Date]
END

Step 5: Create the View