Show Full Month Date on Axis W/O Actual Data in Data Source

Published: 15 Jul 2021
Last Modified Date: 08 Jul 2022

Question

Assume there are only data from 7/1~7/5 in July included in data source.
How to extend the date range to 7/31 on axis.

Environment

Tableau Desktop

Answer

Option 1 change the date field to continuous type and edit the axis manually

1. set the day as continuous date type
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2. edit the axis and type in the date range.
(1) right click axis and click "edit axis"
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2. under ]General]>[Range]>[Fixed], type in the range manually.
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Option 2 remain the date field as discreate field and show non-exist date on axis
※Please see attached video Option2.mp4 for more details.
1. create a calculation field to show non-exist data
eg:
LOOKUP(ZN(SUM([Value])),0)
*For further explanation, see Option 3 in the following article
https://kb.tableau.com/articles/howto/populate-empty-cells-in-a-text-table-with-zeroes-or-existing-data

2. change the [date] field on column shelf as continuous type temporary.

3. right click on [date] field on column shelf and click [Extend data range]>[Custom] and change the range.

4. change the [date] field on column shelf as discrete date again.