Dax Function: DATE
Category: Date and Time Functions
The DATE function in Power BI is a DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) function that creates a date value in the datetime format from individual year, month, and day components.
Purpose
To construct valid date values by combining separate year, month, and day inputs.
Type of Calculations
Converts numerical components into a proper datetime value.
Practical Use Cases
Useful for building calculated columns, validating date components, and preparing data for time intelligence calculations.
DATE(year, month, day)
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
year | Integer | Specifies the year component. Accepts any positive or negative integer. Years between 1900 and 9999 are recommended for valid dates. |
month | Integer | Specifies the month component. Supports values outside the standard range (1–12), which automatically adjust the year and day. |
day | Integer | Specifies the day component. Similar to the month, values outside the typical range (1–31) adjust the month and year automatically. |
How Does DATE Dax Function Works
The DATE function evaluates the provided year, month, and day parameters and constructs a valid date. If any parameter exceeds its expected range, the function automatically adjusts:
- Months > 12 or < 1: Adjusts to the next or previous year.
- Days > Max in Month: Adjusts to the next month.
- Negative Years: Interpreted as years before 1900.
For example:
DATE(2023, 13, 10)returns2024-01-10because the 13th month shifts to the next year.
What Does It Return?
- Type: A single date value in the datetime format.
- Meaning: Combines the year, month, and day parameters into a valid date. If the parameters are invalid, the function returns an error.
When Should We Use It?
- Data Transformation: Combine separate year, month, and day columns into a single date column.
- Custom Date Columns: Generate specific dates based on conditional logic.
- Handling Dynamic Dates: Use within calculated columns or measures to handle dynamic date generation.
Examples
Basic Usage
DATE(2023, 2, 15)
Returns 2023-02-15.
Column Usage:
Suppose you have separate columns: Year, Month, and Day.
DATE([Year], [Month], [Day])
Combines the columns to create a single date value for each row.
Advanced Usage
Using DATE in combination with other functions:
DATE(YEAR(TODAY()), MONTH(TODAY()) + 1, 1)
Creates the first day of the next month from the current date.
Tips and Tricks
- Out-of-Range Parameters: Use to correct invalid month or day values automatically.
- Leap Year Handling: Automatically calculates leap year dates (e.g., February 29).
- Use with Related Functions: Combine with
YEAR,MONTH, andDAYto manipulate or extract date parts.
Potential Pitfalls
- Invalid Inputs: Non-integer or null values result in errors.
- Date Limits: Dates outside the system-supported range (e.g., before 1900) may cause errors.
Performance Impact of DATE DAX Function:
- The function performs efficiently even on large datasets.
- For complex date calculations, combining DATE with other functions like
IForSWITCHmay require additional processing time.
Related Functions You Might Need
- DATEVALUE: Converts a text date into a datetime value.
- YEAR, MONTH, DAY: Extract components from an existing date.
- TODAY, NOW: Generate the current date or datetime.
Want to Learn More?
For more information, check out the official Microsoft documentation for DATE. You can also experiment with this function in your Power BI reports to explore its capabilities.
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The DATE function combines year, month, and day values into a single datetime value.
Yes, it automatically adjusts out-of-range months or days (e.g., month = 13 shifts to the next year).
Negative years are interpreted as years before 1900 (e.g., DATE(-1, 1, 1) represents January 1, 1 BCE).
It accurately calculates dates for leap years, including February 29.
Yes, you can use it with functions like YEAR and MONTH to create dynamic or calculated dates.
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