Dax Function: DATESMTD
Category: Time Intelligence Functions
The DATESMTD function in Power BI is a Time Intelligence DAX function that returns a table containing all the dates from the start of the current month up to a specified date. This function is commonly used to perform month-to-date (MTD) calculations.
Purpose of the Function
The primary purpose of the DATESMTD function is to generate a filtered table of dates for the current month, up to a specific point in time. It is useful for calculating cumulative metrics within a given month.
Type of Calculations
- Month-to-date (MTD) aggregations like total sales, revenue, or customer counts.
- Running totals or cumulative values for metrics within a month.
- Creating dynamic period filters for reports and dashboards.
Practical Use Cases
- Sales Analysis: Calculate total sales for the current month up to today.
- Performance Tracking: Monitor month-to-date performance metrics like revenue or employee hours.
- Financial Reporting: Generate cumulative month-to-date profit or expense data for financial dashboards.
- Data Filtering: Use it as a filter for visualizing month-to-date trends.
DATESMTD(<dates>)
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
dates | Column | A column containing date values, typically from a date table. This column must contain valid dates. |
How Does DATESMTD Dax Function Works?
- Filter Context: The function evaluates the maximum date in the current filter context (e.g., today’s date if used dynamically).
- Date Range Creation: It generates all the dates from the start of the current month up to the maximum date.
- Table Output: This table of dates can then be used as a filter in calculations, such as summing sales or counting transactions.
For example:
If the current date is January 15, the function returns all dates from January 1 to January 15.
What Does It Return?
The function returns a single-column table of dates. These dates start from the first date of the current month and continue up to the maximum date in the filter context.
When Should We Use It?
- Use
DATESMTDfor creating month-to-date metrics in reports and dashboards. - Ideal for visualizing trends within the current month.
- Apply it to cumulative KPIs or to provide dynamic filters for month-specific insights.
Examples
Basic Usage
Total Sales MTD = CALCULATE(
SUM(Sales[Amount]),
DATESMTD(Dates[Date])
)
This calculates the total sales for the current month up to today.
Column Usage:
Customer Orders MTD = CALCULATE(
COUNT(Sales[OrderID]),
DATESMTD(Dates[Date])
)
This counts the number of orders placed month-to-date.
Advanced Usage
Running Revenue MTD = CALCULATE(
SUM(Sales[Revenue]),
FILTER(DATESMTD(Dates[Date]), Sales[Region] = "North")
)
This calculates cumulative month-to-date revenue for the “North” region.
Tips and Tricks
- Use with CALCULATE: The
DATESMTDfunction is typically used withinCALCULATEto apply the date filter to measures. - Combine with Other Time Functions: Use it alongside
DATESQTDorDATESYTDfor comparisons. - Date Table Requirements: Ensure that the
datescolumn comes from a fully populated and continuous date table. - Dynamic Dates: Use
TODAY()in measures to dynamically calculate metrics based on the current date.
Pitfalls:
- Do not use an incomplete date column, as it may result in missing or inaccurate results.
- The function only works for valid calendar dates, so non-standard date ranges may require additional handling.
Performance Impact of DATESMTD DAX Function:
- Ensure your date table is properly indexed for efficient filtering.
- Avoid using overly complex calculations within
DATESMTD, as it may slow down report performance on large datasets.
Related Functions You Might Need
DATESYTD: Returns dates from the start of the year to the current date.DATESQTD: Returns dates from the start of the quarter to the current date.FIRSTDATEandLASTDATE: Useful for identifying boundaries within a date range.TOTALMTD: A wrapper function that directly calculates month-to-date totals for a measure.
Want to Learn More?
For more information, check out the official Microsoft documentation for DATESMTD. You can also experiment with this function in your Power BI reports to explore its capabilities.
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It returns all the dates from the start of the current month to the maximum date in the filter context.
No, it only works up to the current date or the maximum date in the context.
DATESMTD focuses on month-to-date, while DATESYTD covers the entire year up to the current date.
Yes, using a complete and continuous date table ensures accurate results.
No, for fiscal periods, you may need custom logic or use DATESBETWEEN with specific date ranges.
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