Forum Discussion

JBGyro's avatar
JBGyro
Regular Visitor
2 years ago

Possible to insert text in date column?

I have a date column that shows completed dates for projects, this is a data group to based off the actual date column so we can get the MMMM YYYY format. The blanks in this column represent projects that are still active. I'm looking to change the null values to read "Active" for the sake of clarity when using this column as a slicer. I've tried replacing values in Power Query and various DAX formulas but keep getting an error about not being able to compare date and text values. Is there a workaround to format the date to text and insert "Active" where null?

 

Sample DAX I've tried:

Column = IF([Finish Date (bins)] = "", "Active", FORMAT([Finish Date (bins)], "MMMM YYYY"))

 

Slicer I'm trying to update:

 

Need Help

6 Replies

    • JBGyro's avatar
      JBGyro
      Regular Visitor
      2 years ago

      Thank you for the reply. This helped as I changed my formula to:

       

      Column = IF(ISBLANK([Finish Date]), "Active", FORMAT([Finish Date], "MMMM YYYY"))

       

      This changes the column to Text, but now it is sorted alphabetically so there is more work to be done. 

       

      • Anonymous's avatar
        Anonymous
        Not applicable
        2 years ago

        Hi, 

        to make it sort order change use index table and relate with your custom column.
        Ex of index table

        Index       MonthYear
        1              Active
        2              Jan 2023
        3              Feb 2023
        4              Mar 2023
        etc.
        This dim table MonthYear column sort order should change by Index. I hope you know this concept.

        Happy learning. 

  • mahenkj2's avatar
    mahenkj2
    Solution Sage
    2 years ago

    Hi JBGyro ,

     

    I would suggest to use a simpler technique in such case.

     

    Keep this column intact as Date column, instead creat a custom column say 'Status' which check if Completion date column have date then say 'Completed' else 'Not completed'.

     

    This keeps things simple, date column remain Date column, use Status column in report as a slicer, legend etc, now u can connect completion date column to a standard Date table as well.

     

    I think such a technique is cohesive to easier reporting.

     

    Hope it helps.

    • JBGyro's avatar
      JBGyro
      Regular Visitor
      2 years ago

      Thank you for the reply. I'm actually already doing this, but some confusion arises when the user wants to see active and completed projects, but then doesn't select the (Blank) option along with specific 'Completed' months.