Using Timeline Slicer

[dixielou]

I have a table that has multiple columns formatted as dates. When I try to create a Pivot Table and insert a Timeline Slicer, it is only giving me the option to use one of the columns (Reworked Date) and it's not the one I need (Date Initiated). The purpose of the Pivot Table is create a report of entries in the table based on either month or quarter. I have scrubbed the data to make sure there are no entry errors, reformatted it to "Short Date" and eliminated any blanks in the column I want to use. What am I missing?

Thank you

 

[SpillerBD]

ALL the values in the Date Initiated must be dates. Any Text values must be converted to dates.
Don't forget to refresh the pivot cache after any manual cleaning.
Get&Transform can do a better job of cleaning the data.
Also, are you using a Table or Range to feed the PivotTable. Table is better.

 

[dixielou]

I have refreshed after scrubbing the data and even tried starting a new Pivot Table - still won't pick up the Date Initiated column. I confirmed that I am using a Table to feed the Pivot.

I am not familiar with "Get&Transform" - where can I find info on that?

 

[dixielou]

I found info on using Transform - however now when I pull that column into my Pivot it wants to split the date into 3 columns; year, quarter and date initiated. The good news is that I can add a Timeline for that column, the bad news is it doesn't display the data in a useful format. 2 steps forward and 1 step back - it's the Excel cha-cha!

 

[SpillerBD]

It sounds like Excel is trying to be "Helpful"
Right Click on those "date" items and choose to UNGROUP.

 

[dixielou]

Superb! Thank you - I think I'm on a roll again.

I did find it frustrating that I couldn't use Transform to overwrite the data in my existing table - did I miss something and it is possible to overwrite?