Canvs AI has introduced the ability to select a timestamp field during the dataset import process, enabling users to leverage the timeline view for data visualization and analysis. This article guides you through the process of using this feature effectively.
Step-by-Step Guide to Selecting a Timestamp Field
1. During the upload Process
Begin by uploading your dataset into Canvs AI. After successfully uploading your file, the system will check for columns that can be identified as timestamp fields.
2. Encountering the Timestamp Selection Screen
If Timestamp Columns are Detected:
A new screen will appear before the “Filters” step.
This screen will list all the columns in your dataset that are suitable for timestamps.
You will be prompted to select a single column to designate as the timestamp field.
If No Timestamp Columns are Detected:
The system will skip the timestamp selection step and proceed directly to the next stage in the workflow.
3. Select Your Timestamp Field
Review the list of available columns.
Click on the column that best represents your desired timestamp data.
Confirm your selection by clicking the “Next” button.
If there are no prospects for a Timestamp column, you can skip this step altogether and move to the next step.
If your dataset contains an invalid date/time value
A small modal will appear with two options:
Select the invalid column as a filter, allowing you to exclude or clean up incorrect data.
Cancel the timestamp selection, enabling you to proceed without assigning a timestamp field.
If your dataset contains multiple timestamp columns and one of them has an invalid date/time entry, Canvs AI will alert you when you select that column.
You then will be prompted to choose another valid column as the timestamp field (This ensures that the timeline view remains accurate and that users can continue the import process without disruption).
4. Proceed with the usual Import Process
After selecting the timestamp field, the import process will continue with the next step—applying filters and other additional details to your dataset.
On the content page, there are several logical conditions that determine how timestamp data is displayed in the timeline view. The details of these conditions are as follows:
Perquisites:
Timeline chart — a linear chart with a navigator, and day/week/month grouping selectors
Linear chart — a classic linear focusing on waves/batches of data only
Conditions:
1- No timestamp column and single wave: The user will only see the Treemap.
2- No timestamp column and multi-wave: The user will only see the Linear chart.
3- With timestamp column, single wave: The user will only see the Timeline chart.
4- With timestamp column, multi-wave: The user will see both, Timeline chart and Linear chart.
Tips for a Consistent Experience
Ensure your dataset includes a properly formatted timestamp column to utilize this feature. Common formats include ISO 8601 (e.g., 2025-01-16T14:30:00Z) and other standard date/time representations. [supported timestamp formats]
If multiple timestamp columns are present, carefully review them to select the one most relevant to your analysis.
Even if you are unsure about the timestamp field during import, you can adjust your analysis settings later, although changes to the timeline view might be limited.
Timeline feature is only available when our dataset has more than 1 wave.
Why is a Timestamp Field Important?
The timeline view in Canvs AI allows users to visualize data trends over time and regroup data into various time chunks (e.g., days, weeks, or months). This feature is especially useful when sharing analysis links with stakeholders, ensuring consistent and meaningful insights.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
No Timestamp Columns Detected:
Verify that your dataset includes a column with date/time values.
Ensure that Canvs AI recognizes the date/time format.
Accidentally Skipping the Timestamp Selection:
Re-upload the dataset to trigger the timestamp selection screen again.
Incorrect Timestamp Field Selection:
If you selected the wrong field during Upload, you must re-import the dataset to change the timestamp field.
What’s Next?
Currently, Canvs AI supports selecting only a single timestamp field. In the future, the platform plans to expand this capability to support multiple timestamp fields.