How to Set Today's Date as Default in Sisense
Sisense is a powerful business intelligence tool that helps you analyze and visualize your data. One common task is to create dashboards and reports that show data for the current date. You might want to see today's sales figures, website traffic, or other metrics. Instead of manually entering the date each time, you can easily set today's date as the default in your Sisense dashboards and reports.
Understanding the Importance of Default Dates
Setting today's date as the default can save you a significant amount of time and effort. Here's why:
- Automatic Updates: When you set the default to today's date, the data will automatically update to reflect the current day. This ensures you're always working with the most recent information.
- Streamlined Reporting: No need to manually change the date filter for each new report or dashboard.
- Increased Efficiency: By automating this simple task, you can focus on analyzing the data rather than manipulating the date settings.
Steps to Set Today's Date as Default in Sisense
Here's a detailed guide on how to achieve this:
-
Create a New Dashboard or Report: If you don't have one already, create a new dashboard or report where you want to implement the automatic date update.
-
Add a Date Filter: Select the data element or widget you want to apply the filter to. Look for the option to add a filter, usually represented by a filter icon or a "Filter" button.
-
Choose the "Date" Filter Type: From the available filter types, select "Date." This will open the date filter settings.
-
Set the Date Range: Within the date filter settings, look for options to define the date range.
-
Select "Today" as the Start Date: Look for the "Today" option, which usually signifies the current date. This will automatically populate the start date with today's date.
-
Set the End Date (Optional): If you want to see data for a specific period, set the end date accordingly. For a single-day view, leave the end date as "Today" as well.
-
Apply the Filter: After making your selections, confirm and apply the filter to your dashboard or report.
-
Test the Default Date: Open your dashboard or report, and check if the data displays for today's date. If the date is not updating automatically, revisit the steps above to ensure the settings are correct.
Using the "Today" Function in Sisense Formula
Sisense provides a powerful "Today" function that you can use within formulas to reference the current date. This is particularly useful for creating dynamic calculations that depend on the current date:
-
Create a New Formula: Within your dashboard or report, create a new formula by clicking the "Formula" button.
-
Use the "Today" Function: In the formula editor, type "Today()" to insert the "Today" function.
-
Build Your Formula: Use the "Today" function within your formula to calculate or filter data based on the current date.
-
Apply the Formula: After defining your formula, apply it to the relevant data element or widget.
Example Scenario
Imagine you're creating a sales dashboard that displays today's sales figures. You want the dashboard to automatically update to show the current day's sales. Here's how you'd use the "Today" function:
-
Create a Date Filter: Create a date filter on your sales data and set the start date to "Today."
-
Add a Formula: Create a new formula using the "Today" function:
Today()- This formula will return today's date.
-
Apply the Formula: Apply the formula to a data element, such as a chart or table, to display the sales data for the current date.
By combining the "Today" function with your data elements, you can create dynamic and insightful reports that automatically reflect the current date.
Additional Tips and Considerations
- Time Zone: Make sure your Sisense environment uses the correct time zone so that "Today" reflects the current date accurately in your location.
- Data Refresh: If your data source is updated periodically, check the refresh schedule and ensure it's aligned with your desired update frequency for the "Today" date.
- Customization: Explore Sisense's advanced features for greater customization. You can set different default date settings for individual dashboards or reports, allowing for flexibility depending on your needs.
Conclusion
Setting today's date as default in Sisense is a simple yet powerful technique for creating dynamic and up-to-date dashboards and reports. By automating this process, you streamline your reporting workflow, save time, and ensure you're always working with the most current information. Utilize the "Today" function and the date filter settings to leverage this feature to your advantage, unlocking the full potential of your Sisense insights.