Using dynamic dates in custom group attribute qualifications

Steps to use dynamic dates in custom group qualifications

You can select dynamic dates when you qualify on a date attribute form with the date datatype. Dynamic dates can be either a fixed set of dates or different date ranges that change through time. For example, a date qualification on the Day attribute can return data only for the days that you have specified in the custom group qualification.

While evaluating a dynamic date such as "first of this month minus seven days," the order in which these two parts are calculated is significant. The addition or subtraction of days, weeks, months, or years is always done first, before "first of this month," "this week," "this year," and so on is calculated. For example:

• If today is February 13th, then "today minus seven days" is February sixth, and "the first of the month of today minus seven days" is February first.

• However, if today is February second, then "today minus seven days" is January 26th, and "the first of the month of today minus seven days" is January first.

You use the Date Editor to create a dynamic date in a custom group attribute qualification.

For more information and examples of dynamic dates, see the Advanced Filters chapter of the Advanced Reporting Help.

Prerequisite

This sub-procedure assumes that you have already begun creating an attribute qualification for a custom group. If you have not, see To create a custom group attribute qualification.

To use dynamic dates in custom group qualifications

1. In the Attribute Qualification pane, select a date attribute, such as Ship Date or Day, in one of the following ways:

   • Type the name of the attribute in the Attribute box and click OK.

   • Click ... (the browse button) to select an attribute from the Attributes folder. Click OK.

   • Drag the attribute from the Object Browser into the Attribute box.

2. Select ID from the Qualify on drop-down list.

3. Select the desired operator from the Operator drop-down list.

4. Click the calendar icon to open the Date Editor, from which you can select a date.

5. Select the Dynamic date check box.

6. Choose one of these dynamic date options:

   • Today: Next, select Plus or Minus as the offset. Type the offset value or select the offset value using the up and down arrows, in days, weeks, months, or years or any combination of days, weeks, months, and years.

   • This week: Next, select the day of the week to use as the base. Select Plus or Minus as the offset. Type the offset value or select the offset value using the up and down arrows, as days.

   • This month: Next, do one of the following to select the base date:

   • Select Day. Choose the (numeric) day of a month.

   • Select the check box next to The, then choose the ordinal number (First, Second, and so on) and the day of the week from the drop-down lists.

   • Finally, select Plus or Minus as the offset and then type the offset value in days. You must enter an offset value that is greater than 30 days.

   • This year: Next, do one of the following to select the base date:

     • Select the check box next to On. Select the month and day.

     • Select the check box next to The. Choose the ordinal number (First, Second, and so on) and the day of the week from the drop-down lists.

     • Finally, select Plus or Minus as the offset and then type the offset value in days. You must enter an offset value that is greater than 365 days.

     You can view the result of your selection, which is the target date, in the Preview section.

7. Finish creating the attribute qualification, beginning at this step.