The date range filter is one of the most powerful tools in your dashboard. It controls what time period all your metrics, charts, and KPIs display, helping you analyze trends, compare periods, and focus on recent activity.
Where to Find the Date Range Picker
The date range picker is located in the filter section near the top of your dashboard, typically the first filter option in the row.
Visual identifier: Look for a button showing the current date range (e.g., "Last 30 Days") with a small calendar icon 📅 and dropdown arrow.
How to Open the Date Range Picker
Click on the date range button to open the picker modal. A window will appear with multiple selection options.
Quick Select Options
The fastest way to change your date range is using the quick select buttons. These preset options cover the most common time periods:
Available Quick Presets
Last 7 Days
Shows data from the past week
Best for: Daily activity monitoring, recent enrichment tracking
Last 30 Days
Shows data from the past month
Best for: Monthly performance review, recent trends
Last 90 Days
Shows data from the past quarter
Best for: Quarterly analysis, seasonal patterns
Last 6 Months
Shows data from the past half year
Best for: Mid-term trend analysis, semi-annual reviews
Last Year
Shows data from the past 12 months
Best for: Annual performance, year-over-year comparisons
All Time
Shows all available data since you started using Catchlight
Best for: Complete historical view, lifetime metrics
How to Use Quick Select
Click the date range button
Click any of the quick select buttons
The date range applies immediately
The modal closes automatically
All dashboard metrics update to reflect your selection
No "Apply" button needed - Quick selects take effect instantly!
Custom Date Range
For more precise control, use the custom date option to select specific start and end dates.
How to Set a Custom Date Range
Open the date picker - Click the date range button
Scroll to "Or select custom dates" section
Click the "From" date field
A calendar appears
Click the start date you want
Click the "To" date field
Select your end date
End date must be after start date
Click "Apply Dates" button
The modal closes and your custom range applies
Custom Date Examples
Example 1: Specific Month
From: January 1, 2025
To: January 31, 2025
Use case: Review January's performance
Example 2: Quarter Comparison
From: April 1, 2024
To: June 30, 2024
Use case: Analyze Q2 results
Example 3: Campaign Period
From: November 15, 2024
To: December 15, 2024
Use case: Measure results from a specific marketing campaign
Example 4: Year-to-Date
From: January 1, 2025
To: Today's date
Use case: Track cumulative annual progress
How Date Range Affects Your Dashboard
When you change the date range, it impacts:
Metrics That Update
All KPI cards - Values recalculate for the selected period
All charts - Visual data adjusts to show only the date range
Lead counts - Numbers reflect leads enriched during the period
Trend indicators - Change percentages compare within the selected range
What Doesn't Change
Total number of leads in your database (unless filtered by date)
Lead profile data - Individual lead details remain the same
Available filters - All filter options stay available
Understanding "Date Created" vs "Date Updated"
Your date range filter typically uses the Catchlight Date Created field, meaning:
Leads created (added to Catchlight) during your selected date range will appear
This is different from when the lead was originally added to your CRM
Important: Check your dashboard settings to confirm which date field is being used for filtering.
Using Date Ranges Strategically
Strategy 1: Monitor Recent Activity
Set: Last 7 Days
Why: Catch issues quickly, track daily enrichment progress, see fresh leads
Best for: Daily or weekly review routines
Strategy 2: Monthly Reviews
Set: Last 30 Days
Why: Consistent monthly snapshots, easier month-over-month comparisons
Best for: Monthly team meetings, performance reports
Strategy 3: Trend Analysis
Set: Last 6 Months or Last Year
Why: Identify patterns, seasonal trends, long-term growth
Best for: Strategic planning, annual reviews
Strategy 4: Campaign Measurement
Set: Custom dates matching your campaign dates
Why: Isolate campaign impact, measure specific initiatives
Best for: Marketing ROI analysis, A/B testing results
Strategy 5: Historical Context
Set: All Time
Why: See complete picture, find lifetime best performers
Best for: New user orientation, complete database audits
Combining Date Range with Other Filters
Date range works alongside all other filters for powerful segmentation:
Example Combination 1: Recent High-Value Leads
Date range: Last 30 Days
Wealth segment: High Net Worth
Enrichment status: Completed
Result: Recently enriched, high-value prospects ready for outreach
Example Combination 2: Quarterly Retirement Prospects
Date range: Last 90 Days
Event topic: 1-2 Years from Retirement
Result: Recent leads approaching retirement
Example Combination 3: Campaign Follow-Up
Date range: Custom (your campaign dates)
Marketing channel: Your campaign name
Catchlight score: 70+
Result: High-quality leads from a specific campaign
Date Range Best Practices
Do:
Change date ranges regularly to see different perspectives
Use consistent periods when comparing performance over time
Combine with baseline comparison for deeper insights
Document your date range when sharing reports or screenshots
Don't:
Compare unequal periods (e.g., 7 days vs 30 days) without accounting for the difference
Use too narrow a range for trend analysis (need enough data points)
Forget to reset if you set a custom range for a one-time analysis
Troubleshooting Date Range Issues
Problem: No Data Showing
Possible cause: Your date range is set to a period before you had any leads
Solution: Try "All Time" to see your complete dataset, then narrow as needed
Problem: Unexpected Numbers
Possible cause: You have a custom date range set that you forgot about
Solution: Click the date range button to check what's selected. Click "Reset" or choose a quick preset.
Problem: Can't Select Future Dates
Explanation: This is intentional. You can only analyze historical data, not future dates.
Workaround: Select today as your end date for the most current data.
Problem: Date Picker Won't Close
Solution:
Click "Apply Dates" if using custom dates
Click outside the modal to close it
Press the Escape key
Keyboard Shortcuts
Speed up your workflow with these shortcuts:
Open date picker: Click the button (no keyboard shortcut currently)
Close modal: Press
EscapekeyNavigate calendar: Use arrow keys when date field is active
Select date: Press
Enterwhen date is highlighted
Next Steps
Now that you can filter by date, explore these related features:
Baseline Comparison - Compare your selected date range to a previous period
Understanding Key Metrics (KPIs) - Learn what the numbers mean in different time periods
Enrichment Status Filter - Combine date filtering with status filtering
Event Topic Filter - Find time-sensitive opportunities
Pro Tip: Set your date range to "Last 30 Days" as a default starting point—it's recent enough to be actionable but broad enough to show meaningful trends!