Using the 'Import Data Until' Function

By default, xP&A imports data from data sources for all periods (e.g. months) where data is available, up until the Last actual date.

The Import data until setting lets you control how far back or forward data is imported for specific data sources in a model.

Normally, xP&A pulls all available data up to the Last actual date for every data source. However, sometimes you might want to override this for specific data sources. That’s where Import data until comes in.

Why would you use it?

Suppose most of your data sources are reliable up to the Last actual date, but one data source contains incorrect or incomplete recent data.

You can use Import data until to stop pulling data from that source earlier (e.g., one month before the Last actual date) while still importing full data for the others.

If a data source contains forecasted values beyond the Last actual date (e.g., if you're forecasting revenue in an external tool), you can extend "Import data until" for that source only.

This allows you to combine real historical data with external forecasted data in the same model.

Instead of applying the Last actual date to every data source equally, the Import data until function gives you flexibility, allowing certain data sources to stop earlier or continue further than the default Last actual date.

The following examples shows how the settings of the Last actual date and Import data until affect the data imported from a data source:

If:

Then:

To configure the 'Import Data Until' function: