---
schema_version: "1"
id: ad2bfa3ebbcdcd1e91f9115c5eec9f6e2da1ab7fdeb01b34bc9c82fed6d85496
title: Custom Dates
collection: tableau
version: current
locale: en-gb
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/tableau/current/en-gb/public/desktop/dates_custom.md
canonical_url: https://help.tableau.com/current/public/desktop/en-gb/dates_custom.htm
source_site: help.tableau.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 5d33e7040b47b968bf43f271bcbda57f48a5e5a78d618e841b7458b12f713c99
description: Create custom dates using DATEPART or DATETRUNC to work at a specific date level.
---
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# Custom Dates

Custom dates are useful if you always use a date at a specific level, or if you want to create calc that rely on a binned or truncated date.

You can create a custom date in the Data pane or writing a calc with the `DATEPART`or `DATETRUNC` functions.

1. Right-click (control-click on Mac) a date field in the Data pane and select Create > Create Custom Date.
2. From the Detail list, select the level you want.
3. Specify whether you want the custom date to be discrete (Date Parts) or continuous (Date Value).
    
    ![Interface for creating a custom date filter with options for detailing by quarters.](/tableau/current/en-gb/public/desktop/en-gb/Img/customdate1.png)
4. Optional: Enter your own name for the field.
5. When you’re finished, click OK.

Custom dates created this way appear as new fields in the Data pane.

## Example - format column headers as Month, Day, Year

This example uses the Sample – Superstore data source.

1. Drag \[Order Date\] to Columns.
2. Drag Sales to Rows.
3. Right-click \[Order Date\] on the Columns shelf and choose More > Custom.
4. In the Custom Date dialog box, choose Month / Day /Year from the Detail drop-down list.

The view now has the column headers in the correct format:

![A line chart of sales trends from 4 January 2011 to 2 February 2011.](/tableau/current/en-gb/public/desktop/en-gb/Img/month_day_year.png)