# Time series

> Time series - Outlines how to set up batch predictions for time series models. Includes settings
> details and code examples.

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## Primary page

- [Time series](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/api/reference/batch-prediction-api/batch-pred-ts.html): Full documentation for this topic (HTML).

## Sections on this page

- [Time series batch prediction settings](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/api/reference/batch-prediction-api/batch-pred-ts.html#time-series-batch-prediction-settings): In-page section heading.
- [Prediction type](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/api/reference/batch-prediction-api/batch-pred-ts.html#prediction-type): In-page section heading.
- [Requirements for the scoring dataset](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/api/reference/batch-prediction-api/batch-pred-ts.html#requirements-for-the-scoring-dataset): In-page section heading.
- [Single series forecast dataset example](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/api/reference/batch-prediction-api/batch-pred-ts.html#single-series-forecast-dataset-example): In-page section heading.
- [Multiseries forecast dataset example](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/api/reference/batch-prediction-api/batch-pred-ts.html#multiseries-forecast-dataset-example): In-page section heading.

## Related documentation

- [Developer documentation](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/api/index.html): Linked from this page.
- [API reference](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/api/reference/index.html): Linked from this page.
- [Batch Prediction API](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/api/reference/batch-prediction-api/index.html): Linked from this page.

## Documentation content

# Time series

Batch predictions for time series models work without any additional configuration. However, in most cases you need to either modify the default configuration or prepare the prediction dataset.

## Time series batch prediction settings

The default configuration can be overridden using the `timeseriesSettings` job configuration property:

| Parameter | Example | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| type | forecast | Must be either forecast (default) or historical. |
| forecastPoint | 2019-02-04T00:00:00Z | (Optional) By default, DataRobot infers the forecast point from the dataset. To configure, type must be set to forecast. |
| predictionsStartDate | 2019-01-04T00:00:00Z | (Optional) By default, DataRobot infers the start date from the dataset. To configure, type must be set to historical. |
| predictionsEndDate | 2019-02-04T00:00:00Z | (Optional) By default, DataRobot infers the end date from the dataset. To configure, type must be set to historical. |
| relaxKnownInAdvanceFeaturesCheck | false | (Optional) If activated, missing values in the known in advance features are allowed in the forecast window at prediction time. If omitted or false, missing values are not allowed. Default: false. |

Here is a complete example job:

```
{
    "deploymentId": "5f22ba7ade0f435ba7217bcf",
    "intakeSettings": {"type": "localFile"},
    "outputSettings": {"type": "localFile"},
    "timeseriesSettings": {
        "type": "historical",
        "predictionsStartDate": "2020-01-01",
        "predictionsEndDate": "2020-03-31"
    }
}
```

An example using the Python API client:

```
import datarobot as dr

dr.Client(
    endpoint="https://app.datarobot.com/api/v2",
    token="...",
)

deployment_id = "..."

input_file = "to_predict.csv"
output_file = "predicted.csv"

job = dr.BatchPredictionJob.score_to_file(
    deployment_id,
    input_file,
    output_file,
    timeseries_settings={
        "type": "historical",
        "predictions_start_date": "2020-01-01",
        "predictions_end_date": "2020-03-31",
    },
)

print("started scoring...", job)
job.wait_for_completion()
```

## Prediction type

When using `forecast` mode, DataRobot makes predictions using `forecastPoint` or rows in the dataset without a target. In `historical` mode, DataRobot enables bulk predictions, which calculates predictions for all possible forecast points and forecast distances within `predictionsStartDate` and `predictionsEndDate` range.

## Requirements for the scoring dataset

To ensure the Batch Prediction API can process your time series dataset, you must configure the following:

- Sort prediction rows by their timestamps, with the earliest row first.
- There is no limit on the number of series DataRobot supports. The only limit is the job timeout as mentioned in Limits .

### Single series forecast dataset example

The following is an example forecast dataset for a single series:

| date | y |
| --- | --- |
| 2020-01-01 | 9342.85 |
| 2020-01-02 | 4951.33 |
| 24 more historical rows |  |
| 2020-01-27 | 4180.92 |
| 2020-01-28 | 5943.11 |
| 2020-01-29 |  |
| 2020-01-30 |  |
| 2020-01-31 |  |
| 2020-02-01 |  |
| 2020-02-02 |  |
| 2020-02-03 |  |
| 2020-02-04 |  |

### Multiseries forecast dataset example

If scoring multiple series, the data must be ordered by series and timestamp:

| date | series | y |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2020-01-01 | A | 9342.85 |
| 2020-01-02 | A | 4951.33 |
| 24 more historical rows |  |  |
| 2020-01-27 | A | 4180.92 |
| 2020-01-28 | A | 5943.11 |
| 2020-01-29 | A |  |
| 2020-01-30 | A |  |
| 2020-01-31 | A |  |
| 2020-02-01 | A |  |
| 2020-02-02 | A |  |
| 2020-02-03 | A |  |
| 2020-02-04 | A |  |
| 2020-01-01 | B | 8477.22 |
| 2020-01-02 | B | 7210.29 |
| 24 more historical rows |  |  |
| 2020-01-27 | B | 7400.21 |
| 2020-01-28 | B | 8844.71 |
| 2020-01-29 | B |  |
| 2020-01-30 | B |  |
| 2020-01-31 | B |  |
| 2020-02-01 | B |  |
| 2020-02-02 | B |  |
| 2020-02-03 | B |  |
| 2020-02-04 | B |  |