Dax Function: EDATE
Category: Date and Time Functions
The EDATE function in Power BI is a DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) function used to calculate a new date by adding or subtracting a specified number of months to a given date. It is particularly useful in scenarios requiring date arithmetic for monthly-based intervals.
Purpose
To adjust dates by a specific number of months, whether forward or backward.
Type of Calculations
Date manipulation and arithmetic.
Practical Use Cases
- Calculating due dates or expiration dates based on a starting date.
- Creating rolling or trailing date ranges for time-series analysis.
- Adjusting fiscal period start or end dates for financial modeling.
EDATE(<start_date>, <months>)
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
start_date | Datetime | The initial date to which the months will be added or subtracted. Must be a valid datetime value. |
months | Integer | The number of months to add (positive) or subtract (negative) from the start_date. |
How Does EDATE Dax Function Works
- The function starts with a valid datetime input (
start_date). - It adds (positive value) or subtracts (negative value) the number of months specified in the
monthsparameter. - Adjustments for month-end dates are automatically handled:
- For example, adding one month to January 31st will return February 28th or 29th, depending on whether it is a leap year.
Example: For
start_date=2025-01-31andmonths=1, the result will be2025-02-28.
What Does It Return?
- Type: Datetime.
- Meaning: Returns a new date that is the result of adding or subtracting the specified number of months from the input
start_date.
When Should We Use It?
- Calculating future or past dates based on a monthly interval.
- Creating time offsets for trend analysis (e.g., comparing performance to the same month in the prior year).
- Automating calendar logic in models that rely on consistent monthly adjustments.
Examples
Basic Usage
Calculate a new date by adding one month to a specific date:
EDATE(DATE(2025, 1, 15), 1)
Output: 2025-02-15.
Column Usage:
Add six months to each date in a column:
NewDateColumn = EDATE(Table[OrderDate], 6)
For OrderDate = 2024-07-10, the result will be 2025-01-10.
Advanced Usage
Combine with DATEDIFF to calculate the interval in months between two dates:
MonthsDifference = DATEDIFF(EDATE(Table[StartDate], 12), Table[EndDate], MONTH)
This returns the difference in months after adjusting the StartDate by 12 months.
Tips and Tricks
- Use with YEAR and MONTH functions for detailed year-month-based calculations.
- For consistent results, ensure the
start_dateis properly formatted as a datetime value. - Negative
monthsvalues are useful for calculating past dates (e.g., “What was the date 3 months ago?”).
Potential Pitfalls
- Invalid or non-date inputs for the
start_dateparameter will cause errors. UseDATEVALUEorDATEif necessary to ensure a valid datetime format. - Ensure that
monthsis an integer; fractional values are not allowed.
Performance Impact of EDATE DAX Function:
- Handles large datasets efficiently when used in calculated columns or measures.
- Preprocessing dates in Power Query can simplify logic and improve performance in complex models.
Related Functions You Might Need
- DATE: Constructs a date from individual year, month, and day components.
- TODAY: Returns the current date, useful as a dynamic
start_date. - EOMONTH: Calculates the last day of the month for a given date and offset.
Want to Learn More?
For more information, check out the official Microsoft documentation for EDATE. You can also experiment with this function in your Power BI reports to explore its capabilities.
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The EDATE function adjusts a date by adding or subtracting a specified number of months.
Yes, the function adjusts for leap years and month-end dates automatically.
Negative values subtract months from the start_date, returning a past date.
Yes, but the text must be convertible to a valid datetime format. Use DATEVALUE if necessary.
EDATE adjusts a date by a specified number of months, while EOMONTH returns the last day of a month after a similar adjustment.
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