Updating table and adding a month label

[Milutin]

Hi everyone,

I have a table in excel that will be updated every month. I would like to add a new column called Month and every time the table is updated it should put the name of the month in which the data was added.

It may sound easy, but I am only a beginner in Alteryx, so any kind of help is welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Milos

[LordNeilLord]

Hey @Milutin 

Have a look at this page, it contains everything you need to know:

https://help.alteryx.com/10.1/Reference/DateTimeFunctions.htm

[Milutin]

I am sorry, but I still don't get it. Should I add a field using Formula Tool, and then use DateTime functions?

[JulioMO]

Hi @Milutin 

Could you please share a sample of what your input data is and what your desired output is? I don't quite get what you want and this will allow me to better help you!

Thanks!

[danilang · Accepted solution]

Hi @Milutin 

That's exactly what you'd do 

Use a Formula tool to add a new column into your dataset.  The formula I used is 

DateTimeFormat(DateTimeNow(),"%b-%Y")

This statement uses DateTimeFormat which can extract the various parts of a date, to extract the month and year "%b-%Y" from the current date DateTimeNow() and puts the results in a new column called CurMonth, giving you...

 

Use the link that the inestimable @LordNeilLord provided to find out what the "%b" and "%Y" represents as well as look into the various date time functions and format options.

You might also want to spend some time in the Academy to get a handle on the Alteryx basics. 

Dan

[Milutin]

Thanks a lot , that is exactly what I needed. Just one more question, can I add month retroactively, for example July and August?

Thanks also for recommending me the academy.

[danilang]

Hi @Milutin 

You can use the DateTimeAdd() function(check the DateTime section of this page) to add or subtract months from the current date.  If you have a date, DateTimeTrim([DateField],"firstofmonth") will give you the first of that month.

Dan