In the world of Anaplan, "Fake Time" lists are often a necessity when native time doesn't offer the flexibility your specific business case requires. However, the real magic happens when you can map those custom list items back to Native Time Periods.
If you are working in a Polaris-enabled model, efficiency is the name of the game. Here is a 3-step blueprint to convert your Fake Time list into actual Time Period dimensions.
Step 1: Define Your Custom Time List
First, you need the foundation. Create your Fake Time list. This list should contain the granular items you need (e.g., "Jan 24", "Feb 24").
Pro Tip: Ensure your list item "Codes" are consistent. A clean naming convention in your codes (Jan-24) makes the subsequent formulas much easier to write.
Step 2: Establish List Properties
To make these list items "intelligent," you need to assign them attributes. Add at least two properties to your Fake Time list:
- Display Name: For end-user readability.
- Month/Code Identifier: A helper property that the system module can use to parse the date.
Step 3: The System Module (The Engine Room)
This is where the conversion happens. You’ll build a System Module dimensioned by your Fake Time list. This module acts as a translation layer, turning text and numbers into valid Anaplan Dates and Periods.
Logic Configuration Table
Line Item | Format | Formula Logic |
|---|
Date | Number | 1 (Hardcoded to represent the first of the month) |
Month | Number | VALUE(CODE(ITEM(Fake Time List)))* |
Year | Number | 2000 + VALUE(RIGHT(CODE(ITEM(Fake Time List)), 2)) |
Period - Month | Time Period: Month | PERIOD(DATE(Year, Month, Date)) |
Why This Matters for Polaris
Polaris thrives on sparsity and large-scale data. By converting your Fake Time list into a Native Time Period format within a system module, you unlock several benefits:
- Time Functions: You can now use native functions like PARENT() or START() which require a time-period formatted line item.
- Data Mapping: You can easily use this system module as a lookup table to send data from a custom-list module into a native-time module using the [LOOKUP: ...] function.
- Dynamic Filtering: It allows for easier filtering based on the current period or relative timeframes.
Summary
Converting Fake Time isn't just about changing a format; it's about giving your custom lists the "spatial awareness" of the Anaplan calendar. Once your system module is set up, your Polaris engine can run calculations across custom dimensions while still respecting the hierarchy of years and quarters.
