Forum Discussion
Scatter Plot having two dates
Hello everyone,
I would like to have a scatter plot that displays the difference of number of rows (measure) between data source time and update time.
I would like to have data source time in the X axis and update time in the Y axis. However, there's no option for me to display the update time in Y axis as it's showing me errors.
Is there a workaround to display two different dates in two different axis using a scatter plot?
Thanks!
Hi Anonymous ,
Thank you for reaching out to us on the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.
To achieve a scatter plot in Power BI that compares two different datetime fields—source_time and update_time—on the X and Y axes respectively, a direct approach isn't possible since Power BI doesn't support datetime fields on both axes in scatter charts. As a workaround, you can create two calculated columns that convert each datetime field into a numeric format (Unix-style timestamps) using the DATEDIFF function.Add new column:
source_time_numeric = DATEDIFF(DATE(2025,1,1), 'TimeData'[source_time], SECOND)
Add new column :
update_time_numeric = DATEDIFF(DATE(2025,1,1), 'TimeData'[update_time], SECOND)
duration minutes:
duration_minutes = DATEDIFF('TimeData'[source_time], 'TimeData'[update_time], MINUTE)
In Power BI Desktop, insert a Scatter chart visual.- Set the fields like this:
X Axis → source_time_numeric.
Y Axis → update_time_numeric.
Tooltips → add source_time, update_time, duration_minutes.
Please go through the pbix file.
If this post was helpful, please give us Kudos and consider marking Accept as solution to assist other members in finding it more easily.
- Set the fields like this:
3 Replies
Hi Anonymous ,
Thank you for reaching out to us on the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.
To achieve a scatter plot in Power BI that compares two different datetime fields—source_time and update_time—on the X and Y axes respectively, a direct approach isn't possible since Power BI doesn't support datetime fields on both axes in scatter charts. As a workaround, you can create two calculated columns that convert each datetime field into a numeric format (Unix-style timestamps) using the DATEDIFF function.Add new column:
source_time_numeric = DATEDIFF(DATE(2025,1,1), 'TimeData'[source_time], SECOND)
Add new column :
update_time_numeric = DATEDIFF(DATE(2025,1,1), 'TimeData'[update_time], SECOND)
duration minutes:
duration_minutes = DATEDIFF('TimeData'[source_time], 'TimeData'[update_time], MINUTE)
In Power BI Desktop, insert a Scatter chart visual.- Set the fields like this:
X Axis → source_time_numeric.
Y Axis → update_time_numeric.
Tooltips → add source_time, update_time, duration_minutes.
Please go through the pbix file.
If this post was helpful, please give us Kudos and consider marking Accept as solution to assist other members in finding it more easily.
- Set the fields like this:
Hello Anonymous
SourceTimeNumeric = DATEDIFF(DATE(1970,1,1), [Source Time], SECOND) Xaxis
UpdateTimeNumeric = DATEDIFF(DATE(1970,1,1), [Update Time], SECOND) Y axis
Add your measure to value section
Thanks,
Pankaj Namekar | LinkedInIf this solution helps, please accept it and give a kudos (Like), it would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Anonymous ,
May I ask if you have resolved this issue? If so, please mark the helpful reply and accept it as the solution. This will be helpful for other community members who have similar problems to solve it faster.
Thank you.
