DateAdd vs ParallelPeriod vs SamePeriodLastYea

[Anonymous]

I was looking for DateAdd vs ParallelPeriod vs SamePeriodLastYea

and found this one:

https://radacad.com/dateadd-vs-parallelperiod-vs-sameperiodlastyear-dax-time-intelligence-question

SamePeriodLastYear

Let’s start with the SamePeriodLastYear function; this function will give you exactly what it explains; same PERIOD but last year! same period; means if you are looking at data on the day level, it would be same day last year. If you are slicing and dicing in a month or quarter level; this would give you the same month or quarter last year. You can use the function simply just by providing a date field:

SamePeriodLastYear(<date field>)

SamePeriodLastYear returns the equivalent period to the filter context from last year. for 1st of Sep 2006, it will return date period of 1st of Sep 2005. For Q4 of 2006 it will return Q4 of 2005. If filter context is in DAY level; it will return the same DAY last year, if the filter context is in Month level, it will return same Month last year

ParallelPeriod

ParallelPeriod is another function that gives you the ability to get the parallel period to the current period. You can navigate to periods in the past or future. you need three parameters for this function:

ParllelPeriod(<date field>, <number of intervals>, <interval>)

You can choose the interval to be Month, Quarter, or Year. and the number of intervals can be negative (to go to past), or positive (to go to the future)

ParallelPeriod gives the result of a period parallel to this period (in the past or future), which is statically determined in the Interval parameter; Can be Month, Quarter, or Year

What is the difference between SamePeriodLastYear and ParallelPeriod?

The first difference is that ParallelPeriod gives you the option to go as many as intervals you want back or forward. If you want to get the sales for last months; then ParallelPeriod is your friend. for calculating the sales of 2 years ago, then ParallelPeriod is your friend.

Dynamic Period is another difference between these two functions

[v-lili6-msft · Accepted solution]

hi, @Anonymous 

The best understanding is that SamePeriodLastYea Function is the same this formula:

DATEADD(dates, -1, year)

As you can see, "The first difference is that ParallelPeriod gives you the option to go as many as intervals you want back or forward."

and it couldn't be modified, so for their difference, it is the same between DATEADD(dates, -1, year) and ParallelPeriod.

For example:

For Q4 of 2006 SamePeriodLastYea will return Q4 of 2005, but ParallelPeriod (year) will return all 2005.

Best Regards,

LIN