Relative date filtering in Tableau - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Relative date filtering lets you show data for a time period that moves with the current date. It helps you focus on recent or upcoming data without changing the filter every day.

When you want to see sales from the last 7 days and update automatically each day

When your dashboard should always show data for the current month without manual changes

When you want to compare this week’s performance to the same week last year

When you need to monitor data for the next 30 days to plan ahead

When you want to filter data to show only the last quarter dynamically

Steps

Step 1: Click

- Filters shelf on the date field

The Filter Field dialog opens showing filter options for the date

💡 Make sure your date field is recognized as a date type

Step 2: Select

- Relative Date option in the Filter Field dialog

The relative date filter options appear for you to choose a time range

Step 3: Choose

- Relative date filter options

You can pick options like last N days, this month, next N weeks, or last quarter

💡 Use the calendar icon to pick exact start or end dates if needed

Step 4: Set

- Number of periods and period type (days, weeks, months, quarters, years)

The filter updates to show data only for the selected relative time frame

Step 5: Click

- OK button

The filter applies and the view updates to show data for the relative date range

Before vs After

Before

The view shows all sales data from 2019 to 2024

After

The view shows only sales data from the last 30 days relative to today

Settings Reference

Relative Date Filter Type

📍 Filter Field dialog after selecting Relative Date

Defines whether to show past, current, or future periods relative to today

Default: Last

Period Type

📍 Relative Date filter options

Sets the unit of time for the relative filter

Default: Days

Number of Periods

📍 Relative Date filter options

Specifies how many periods to include in the filter

Default: 1

Common Mistakes

Choosing a fixed date filter instead of relative date

Fixed date filters do not update automatically, so the data becomes outdated

Use relative date filtering to keep the data range dynamic and current

Selecting the wrong period type (e.g., weeks instead of days)

This causes the filter to show a different time range than intended

Double-check the period type matches your analysis needs

Summary

Relative date filtering shows data for time periods that move with the current date.

It helps keep dashboards up-to-date without manual filter changes.

Remember to pick the right period type and number of periods for accurate results.

Practice

1. What does a Relative Date filter in Tableau do?

easy

A. It filters data based on fixed dates you manually select.

B. It shows data for a dynamic time period like last 7 days or this month.

C. It groups data by categories like product or region.

D. It sorts data alphabetically by date.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of Relative Date filter

   A Relative Date filter dynamically adjusts the data shown based on the current date, such as last 7 days or this month.

2. Step 2: Compare with other filter types

   Fixed date filters require manual date selection, unlike Relative Date filters which update automatically.

3. Final Answer:

   It shows data for a dynamic time period like last 7 days or this month. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Relative Date filter = dynamic time period [OK]

Hint: Relative Date filters always adjust with today's date [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Relative Date with fixed date filters
• Thinking it sorts data instead of filtering
• Assuming it groups data by categories

2. Which of the following is the correct way to apply a Relative Date filter in Tableau?

easy

A. Drag a date field to Filters, choose 'Relative Date', then select the desired period.

B. Drag a measure to Filters and select 'Relative Date'.

C. Right-click a dimension and select 'Sort by Relative Date'.

D. Create a calculated field with TODAY() and filter manually.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to apply Relative Date filter

   In Tableau, you drag a date field to the Filters shelf and then choose 'Relative Date' to set dynamic periods.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Measures cannot be filtered by Relative Date, sorting is different, and manual calculated fields are not the standard method.

3. Final Answer:

   Drag a date field to Filters, choose 'Relative Date', then select the desired period. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Apply Relative Date filter via date field in Filters [OK]

Hint: Always start with a date field for Relative Date filters [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to apply Relative Date on measures
• Confusing sorting with filtering
• Using manual calculated fields unnecessarily

3. Given today's date is 2024-06-15, what data will be shown if you apply a Relative Date filter for 'Last 7 days' on a sales date field?

medium

A. Sales data from 2024-06-01 to 2024-06-07 inclusive.

B. Sales data from 2024-06-15 only.

C. Sales data from 2024-06-08 to 2024-06-14 inclusive.

D. Sales data from 2024-06-09 to 2024-06-15 inclusive.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand 'Last 7 days' relative to today

   'Last 7 days' means the past 7 days including today.

2. Step 2: Calculate the date range

   From 2024-06-15, last 7 days are 2024-06-09 through 2024-06-15 inclusive.

3. Final Answer:

   Sales data from 2024-06-09 to 2024-06-15 inclusive. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Last 7 days includes today, from today back 6 days [OK]

Hint: Last 7 days includes today, 7 days ending today [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Excluding today's date mistakenly
• Counting from beginning of month
• Confusing with previous full week

4. You applied a Relative Date filter for 'This Month' but your dashboard shows no data. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The filter was set to 'Last Year' instead of 'This Month'.

B. You applied the filter on a non-date field.

C. The date field has no data for the current month.

D. The data source is disconnected.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check data availability for current month

   If no data exists for the current month, the 'This Month' filter will show no results.

2. Step 2: Consider other causes but focus on data

   Applying filter on non-date fields or wrong filter choice would cause errors or different results; disconnected data source usually causes errors, not empty data.

3. Final Answer:

   The date field has no data for the current month. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   No data in current month = empty 'This Month' filter result [OK]

Hint: Check if data exists for the filtered period first [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming filter syntax error without checking data
• Ignoring data source connection status
• Confusing filter period with applied filter

5. You want to create a dashboard that always shows sales data for the last 30 days but excludes today. Which Relative Date filter setting should you use?

hard

A. Set filter to 'Last 30 days' excluding today.

B. Set filter to 'Last 31 days' including today.

C. Set filter to 'This Month' and manually exclude today.

D. Set filter to 'Last 30 days' including today.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand requirement to exclude today

   The filter must show the 30 days before today, not including today itself.

2. Step 2: Choose correct Relative Date filter option

   'Last 30 days' excluding today matches the requirement exactly; including today or using 'This Month' won't exclude today properly.

3. Final Answer:

   Set filter to 'Last 30 days' excluding today. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Exclude today by choosing 'Last 30 days' without today [OK]

Hint: Use 'Last 30 days' excluding today for past 30 full days [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Including today when it should be excluded
• Using 'This Month' which varies in length
• Adding extra days unnecessarily