Relative date analysis

With the relative dates feature, you can analyze measures filtered by date periods that are relative to a particular date. Examples of relative date filters include current quarter, last quarter, quarter-to-date, or month-to-date.

When using relative dates, you can create reports and dashboards that show date-filtered results in different visualizations, crosstabs, and so on. By default, the date-filtered measures in the data use today's date as the reference date in the analysis.

The implementation of this feature uses a subset of Cognos Analytics 11.1.0 base samples that include the sample calendar data modules, Gregorian Calendar and Fiscal Calendar. Ensure that the samples are available in your Cognos® Analytics installation before you start other, related tasks. For more information, see Sample calendars.

To enable relative date analysis in Cognos Analytics, you must create a data module that maps your data to a calendar. This data module can then be used as a source for relative date analysis in reports and dashboards. For more information, see Creating a data module for relative date analysis.

If you want to customize the reference date for relative date analysis based on user roles, use the _as_of_date global parameter. For more information, see Customizing the reference date.

After the Cognos Analytics environment is set up for relative date analysis, users can use the relative date filters and measures to perform analysis of data in reports and dashboards. For more information, see Relative date analysis.