Using Reclassified Time Period Fields in PowerView

This tip provided by
Susan Varghese
NPD Computer Engineering Programmer

Many NPD clients use the same PowerView reports every week or every month, with the only difference being the time period for which they are viewing the data. Instead of re-creating tables every month or week because the time period is different, you can use a reclassified time period field. This way, you would only have to update the reclassified time period field to reflect the new month or week, and all your saved tables will be updated automatically when you re-run them.

Open the database that you will be working with in PowerView, and follow these steps to create a reclassified time period field:

1. Identify the time period field you will be using for your tables.
2. In the Data Explorer window, right-click on the Time Period field, and choose Reclassify.
3. On the left side of the Reclassify Item Field screen, check the box next to the
   month(s)/week(s) that you want to view data for in your table.
4. Click on the Add button to move them to the table on the right side of the screen.
5. Save your reclassified time period field by naming it in the Reclassified Field Name text box and clicking the Save button.

You should see the reclassified time period field that you just created under the time period field that you used to create it, in the Data Explorer. (If you do not see it, expand the tree by clicking on the “+” sign next to the time period field.)

The reclassified time period field can now be used in all your tables. Create all tables that you need on a monthly or weekly basis, using the reclassified time period field, and save them. When your data is updated with next month’s or next week’s data, all you have to do is update your reclassified time period field and save it, and all your saved tables will be automatically updated when you re-run them.

Follow these steps to edit a reclassified time period field:

1. In the Data Explorer window, right-click on the Reclassified Time Period field that you want to update, and click on Edit.
2. Once the field is open in the Reclassify Item Field screen, add or remove values according to what you want to see data for in this month’s/week’s tables.
3. Save your changes.