Adding Time Buckets - Categorical Time Analysis

Time based data can be represented as continuous Time Series and displayed in Time Series visualizations such as the Line Graph.  However there are circumstances when data analysis does not require continuous time, but instead requires time grouping and aggregation.  Time Parts support this categorical use of time.

To group and aggregate time based data, a Date Time column should be present in the data table.

Defining Time Parts

1. Right-click on the Date/Time column and select Time Bucketing Columns....

2. Select the required Time Buckets.

 

This process adds additional text columns to the data table which can be used in:

1. • Hierarchies / Breakdowns

   • Filters

   • Color Variables

   • Detail Variables

Once selected the new time bucket columns will appear in the data table schema listing.

As an example the data set below relates to a EURO dominated Bond universe:

Each individual bond represents a row within the data set and has associated properties represented by each column.

The Maturity Date represents the date to which the Bond matures.

By creating the Year Time Part, a Bar graph of Maturity Year can be displayed:

Similarly using the Month Time Part, a Bar graph of cumulative issuance by Month can be displayed:

 

Using the MonthName Time Part, a Bar graph of cumulative issuance by Month Name can be displayed.