How to Get Current Date in Tableau Calculated Field
In Tableau, the ability to work with dates is essential for data analysis. One common task is to obtain the current date within a calculated field. This can be particularly useful when you need to compare data against the most recent date or perform date-specific calculations. In this article, we will explore how to get the current date in a Tableau calculated field using various methods.
Method 1: Using the NOW() Function
The simplest way to get the current date in a Tableau calculated field is by using the NOW() function. This function returns the current date and time based on the system clock of the computer running Tableau. To use this function, simply enter the following formula in your calculated field:
“`
[Current Date] = NOW()
“`
This will create a new calculated field named “Current Date” that always shows the current date and time.
Method 2: Using the DATE() Function
If you only need the current date without the time, you can use the DATE() function in combination with the NOW() function. The DATE() function extracts the date part from a datetime value. Here’s how you can create a calculated field that only contains the current date:
“`
[Current Date] = DATE(NOW())
“`
This formula will display the current date without the time component.
Method 3: Using the CURRENT_DATE() Function
Tableau also provides the CURRENT_DATE() function, which is another way to obtain the current date. This function is similar to the DATE() function, but it is more explicit in its purpose. Here’s how to use it:
“`
[Current Date] = CURRENT_DATE()
“`
This calculated field will display the current date without the time component, just like the previous method.
Method 4: Using the DATETRUNC() Function
If you want to truncate the time component from a datetime value, you can use the DATETRUNC() function. This function allows you to specify the level of granularity for truncation, such as day, month, or year. For example, to truncate the time component to the current day, use the following formula:
“`
[Current Date] = DATETRUNC(‘day’, NOW())
“`
This calculated field will display the current date, with the time component set to midnight.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed four methods to obtain the current date in a Tableau calculated field. By using the NOW(), DATE(), CURRENT_DATE(), and DATETRUNC() functions, you can easily create a calculated field that always shows the most recent date. These methods provide flexibility in working with dates and can be applied to various data analysis scenarios.
