The Offset date option , so that the data continues to update. Instead of ' 2016' or ' 2016' can a dynamic range such as 'year to date' or 'Last month'.
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When offset dates are available
Offset dates are available when adding a period to the defined period list and when setting period option as part of defining a measure (for custom mode or advanced search). You will be presented with a slightly different window depending what you are doing, but the concept is the same. Offset dates are also available to administrators when setting a defined period across a database.
How to apply offset dates
For all period types other than 'day', enter the offset date as a number. The timeframe will be displayed in words next to the offset field, e.g., if you select 'Month' as your time unit, an offset of 0 means the current month, an offset of -2 would be two months ago (as shown in the image below), and so on. You can choose to set both the start and end dates as offsets, or just one. Save & Apply.See below for information about setting day-based date ranges.
Offset options for day-based date ranges
When you are defining a date range using 'Day', you can choose from Actual, Offset and Special options.
Actual - choose the required date.
Offset - enter or select a number of days.
Tip. A quick way of getting the correct offset value is to set an actual value and then switch to offset. It will set the offset value to match the previously selected date.Special - choose one of four 'matches' ('First Day', 'Last Day', 'Match Today' or 'Match Yesterday')
a dynamic date range, such as Year-to-date or Last month, so the data continues to update.
The offset settings for the Days period type are different from those of the Months and Years, as outlined below.
Use offsets month and year-based date ranges
The general steps for using the Offset option with Month and Year period types are:
Select the Year or Month period type, as required.
Select the Offset checkbox to activate the offset date setting. You can set both the Start and End dates as offsets or just one of them.
Enter the offset date as a number. The timeframe is displayed in words next to the offset box.
The following examples (set in June 2024) are common set-and-forget dynamic periods you can add to your analysis using the month and year Offset options. As they are designed to work into the future, they’re a simple way to get a date range that updates each month or year. They save you from having to manually update the date range when you roll over into a new month, calendar year, or financial year.
Calendar year-to-date (most recent)
Select the Month period type.
In the Current Period > Start date, clear the Offset checkbox, then select January and Most recent.
In the Current Period > End date, select the Offset checkbox and enter 0 as theoffset number.
In the Previous Period > Start date, clear the Offset checkbox, then select January and Second most recent.
In the Previous Period > End date, select the Offset checkbox and enter -12 as the offset number.
Financial year-to-date (most recent)
For example, if your financial year runs from April to March, you can select April and the Most recent dynamic date option, along with an offset end, to always view the previous financial year’s data without having to select the year each year.
Select the Month period type.
In the Current Period > Start date, clear the Offset checkbox, then select the Start month of the financial year (for example, April) and Most recent.
In the Current Period > End date, select the Offset checkbox and enter 0 as theoffset number.
In the Previous Period > Start date, clear the Offset checkbox, then select the Start month of the financial year (for example, April) and Second most recent.
In the Previous Period > End date, select the Offset checkbox and enter -12 as the offset number.
Last month (offset)
For example, suppose you want to view data for the last month and compare it with data for the same month in the previous year.
Select the Month period type.
In the Current Period > Start date, select the Offset checkbox and enter -1 as the offset number.
In the Current Period > End date, select the Offset checkbox and enter -1 as the offset number.
In the Previous Period > Start date, select the Offset checkbox and enter -13 as the offset number.
In the Previous Period > End date, select the Offset checkbox and enter -13 as the offset number.
This month (offset)
For example, suppose you want to view data for this month and compare it with data from last month.
Select the Month period type.
In the Current Period > Start date, select the Offset checkbox and enter 0 as the offset number.
In the Current Period > End date, select the Offset checkbox and enter 0 as the offset number.
In the Previous Period > Start date, select the Offset checkbox and enter -1 as the offset number.
In the Previous Period > End date, select the Offset checkbox and enter -1 as the offset number.
Rolling 12 months (offset)
For example, suppose you want to view data for the last 12 months up to today and compare it with data from the same months in the previous year.
Select the Month period type.
In the Current Period > Start date, select the Offset checkbox and enter -11 as the offset number.
In the Current Period > End date, select the Offset checkbox and enter 0 as the offset number.
In the Previous Period > Start date, select the Offset checkbox and enter -23 as the offset number.
In the Previous Period > End date, select the Offset checkbox and enter -12 as the offset number.
Last three years (offset)
For example, suppose you want to view data for the last three years.
Select the Year period type.
In the Current Period > Start date, select the Offset checkbox and enter -2 as the offset number.
In the Current Period > End date, select the Offset checkbox and enter 0 as the offset number.
Use offsets for day-based date ranges
The general steps for using the Offset option with the Day period types are:
Select the Day period type.
Click the date box to display the options window, then select the tab of the option you want to use:
Actual | This option does not use an offset. Therefore, the date is fixed. Select a specific date. |  |
Offset | This option is essentially a day offset, either forward or backward from today. This option is useful, for example, to set a rolling 7-day period. See other examples below. Enter or select a specific number of days. Alternatively, for a quicker way of getting the correct offset value here, select the date on the Actual tab first, then select the Offset tab. The offset value will match the selected date. |  |
Special | This option allows you to select a day that is based on a month offset (selecting a certain type of day in a particular month). This option is useful, for example, when analyzing the month-to-date performance (see example below). Select one of the four Match… options and offset that match against a chosen month. |
About each match
First Last If you will If will If will will will
When do I choose a special date over an offset date?
- The offset option is essentially a day offset (either forwards or backwards from 'today'. You could choose this option to set a rolling 7 day period, for example.
- The special option allows you to choose a day that is based on a month offset (choosing a certain type of day in a particular month). For example, you would choose this option for analysing month-to-date.
- See the video below.
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Examples of date settings
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Common settings
Note: These settings are |
The following examples are common set-and-forget
Example
Time unit
Start
End
Calendar Year to Date
Month
Not Offset. Choose January and 'most recent'
Offset: 0
Financial Year to Date
Month
Not Offset. Choose start month of financial year, e.g. July and 'most recent'
Offset: 0
they’re a simple way to get a date range that updates each day.
Month-to-date (special)
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Offset date examples
Example
Time unit
Start
End
Last month
Month
Offset: -1
Offset: -1
This month
Month
Offset: 0
Offset: 0
Rolling 12 months
Month
Offset: -11
Offset: 0
Today
Day
Offset: 0
Offset: 0
Yesterday
Day
Offset: -1
Offset: -1
Last 7 days
Day
Offset: -6
Offset: 0
Last three years
Year
Offset: -2
Offset: 0
'Special' date examples
Option
Offset
What is displayed
First Day
-3
First day of 3 months ago
Last Day
1
Last day of next month
Match Today
4, -1, -3
Today 4 months ahead, Today last month, Today 3 months ago
Match Yesterday
5, 1, -2
Yesterday 5 months ahead, Yesterday next month, Yesterday 2 months ago
Match Today
0
Today
Match Yesterday
0
Yesterday
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Today (offset)
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Yesterday (offset)
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Last 7 days (offset)
Select the Day period type.
Click the Current Period > Start box, select the Offset tab, then enter -6 as the offset.
Click the Current Period > End box, select the Offset tab, then enter 0 as the offset.
On this page
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