---
title: "Using the 'Import Data Until' Function"
source_url: https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/working-with-integrated-data/import-data-until-function
language: en
last_updated: 2023-08-16
---
# Using the 'Import Data Until' Function

## Overview

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.](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/modeling-your-data/working-with-time/last-actual-date.md)

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](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/modeling-your-data/working-with-time/last-actual-date.md) 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?**

- {% u %}To exclude certain months from a specific data source:{% /u %}\
\
Suppose most of your data sources are reliable up to the [Last actual date](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/modeling-your-data/working-with-time/last-actual-date.md), 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](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/modeling-your-data/working-with-time/last-actual-date.md)) while still importing full data for the others.
- {% u %}To include forecast data for a specific data source:{% /u %}\
\
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.

{% info-box %}
If you have turned **Import data until** on for a data source, that will take **precedence over the Last actual date** in that model, for that data source only.

If you want to import **new data** for that data source (or cut off data earlier for that data source), you need to do so **manually** (via [refreshing the data source](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/working-with-integrated-data/refreshing-a-data-source.md), and/or **updating** the **Import data until** date as described below).
{% /info-box %}

## Example

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:

- Your **Snowflake user data** in your **Revenue** model has an **Import data until** of **December 2024**.
- Your **QBO P&L data** also used in your **Revenue** model has **no Import data until** set.
- Your **Last actual date** is **December 2024**, but you drag it forward to **January 2025**.

Then:

- **Snowflake user data** will stay cut off at **December 2024**.
- **QBO P&L data** will be pulled into the model up until **January 2025** (if present).

## Configuring the 'Import Data Until' Function

To configure the 'Import Data Until' function:

{% stepper %}
{% stepper-step %}
Open the model for which you like to configure the **Import data until** function.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Open the **data preview** of a data source by clicking on the data source in the overview.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Open the **three-dot menu** on the top right of the data preview.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Activate the option **Import data until**.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Set the **date** up until which you want to import data from this data source into the selected model.

{% /stepper-step %}
{% /stepper %}
Configuring the 'Import data until' function

## FAQs

### What if my 'forecast' data is used in a model that has no other data sources? Do I still need to use the 'Import data until' function?

No. In this case, you can just turn the [Last actual date](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/modeling-your-data/working-with-time/last-actual-date.md) setting off in that model. Data will flow in as and when it is [refreshed](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/integrating-data/working-with-integrated-data/refreshing-a-data-source.md), up to whatever months the data source has data for.

If the model is [linked to other models](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/working-with-models/linking-models.md), and you update the **Last actual date** in those other models, the forecast model/data source will not be affected.

### What if my historic data source that has less months of useable data than my other historic data sources is used in a model with no other data sources? Do I still need to use the 'Import data until' function?

No! In this case, you can just set an earlier [Last actual date](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/xp-a---extended-planning-and-analysis/modeling-your-data/working-with-time/last-actual-date.md) in this model (and have the other models use the latest **Last actual date**).

### Can I set different 'Import data until' dates for the same data source in different models?

Yes. The setting is unique to each data source, with each model that it is used in.