What is the difference between a date attribute and the date range filter in Explore?

Question

What is the difference between a date attribute and the date range filter in Explore? Which one should I use?

Answer

The list of dates within a date attribute functions as a data filter.

Selecting a date range within the date attribute functions as a time filter. 

Using the date range filter within the attribute is recommended to filter reports. To apply a date filter open the date attribute and select Edit date ranges. Choose from a list of pre-set options or enter a custom date range.

For more information, see the article: Editing dates and date ranges.