BI in SQL vNext
NewSimplify time intelligence functions to work on single data sets without a date table
Angel Abundez on 06 May 2015 05:33:09
Tableau works its magic with dates just based on date fields in a set. Power BI workbooks and Power BI designer would be super simplified if there was an inherent calendar built into the product based on setting a date column in a table as *the* Calendar date (the one you intend to group and set filter context in your Time Intelligence functions). This also eliminates the need to explain to analysts the variety of options for handling analysis and time intelligence functions on different dates (Order Date, Ship Date, Received Date).
- Comments (3)
RE: Simplify time intelligence functions to work on single data sets without a date table
Great idea. Takes many new learners quite some time to work out the date dimension tables. Would speed up time to insight for large amounts of people.
RE: Simplify time intelligence functions to work on single data sets without a date table
I have to agree with Angel. The time spent creating a time dimension, and wiring it up in cubes/models is really redundant work that should be part of the product. Any Date or DateTime column implies a relationship with a robust date dimension. Given that, a whole set of common date-based aggregates and calculations could be implied as well, (MTD, YTD, YOY, variances, etc.), without any coding needed by the user/cube designer. I have a whole set of code templates and code generators for SQL and MDX cubes for date calculations and have done something similar in DAX as well, leveraging what Marco Russo has published on SQLBI.com.
RE: Simplify time intelligence functions to work on single data sets without a date table
I think it Would be better if powerpivot have button "generate time table from DATEA to DATEB with precision in (DAY,HOUR,MINUTE,SECOND)"