Why are start date and end date entry so restrictive DURING ENTRY?

Question

When I visit Accounts & Billing, then click the Billing tab, I am able to enter a range of dates before clicking Go. However, the verifications happening in the background - during this process - are too restrictive.

For example:

When the page loads, the dates are defaulted to about two months ago. Lets say they are both in January.

My goal is to run a report for the date range 3/1/18 - 3/15/18.

My first step is to click in the start date and attempt to select or enter 03/01/2018.

Using the pop-up calendar, all dates after the currently-set January end date are grayed out, because the system doesn't want me selecting a start date AFTER the end date. This is understandable, but I'M NOT FINISHED, YET.

I can manage to change the start date digits by using a delete key and typing in 03/01/2018. However, when tabbing out of the start date and into the end date, Poof! - my start date reverts back to a January date.

The only solution I've found is to enter the end date first, then go back and enter the start date, which is totally UN-intuitive. Most people enter start dates before end dates, and tab between them.

Am I missing something, here?

Wouldn't it be much simpler to let us enter whatever we like, and run the verification immediately after clicking Go? If we got the dates wrong, just pop up a dialog to explain, and keep us on the page to make corrections. This is dirt simple!

Answer 1

Hi Bart57266,

Thank you for reaching out, I am happy to assist!

We apologize for any inconvenience caused with this feature. At this time, it is the way we have our UI programmed however, we are always open to suggestions for improvement. If you would like to see a change in the way this feature for running billing reports works, we ask that you visit our Microsoft Advertising Help Center

Feature Suggestion Forum

Using our feature suggestion forum allows you to share your idea and allows other to cast their vote on it too. The more votes, the more likely it is to get implemented. Our engineers also look to the forum to see how they can improve the UI for customer satisfaction.

I hope this helps! Please feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions or concerns, we’re happy to help!

Sincerely,

Answer 2

I did make this suggestion, months ago, but it has not been changed. I will make it again, though.

On every other website I have ever visited, entering ranges of dates begins with a start date, and concludes with an end date. It is the natural flow of entry.

I do not understand why yours is backwards.

Answer 3

Hi Bart57266,

Thank you for your response! 

We appreciate you for posting on the Feature Suggestion Forum as this is the best way for our engineers to see your thoughts and recommendations. Also voting on your suggestion and sharing it with others so that they can vote, increases the chances of the feature getting implemented.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions or concerns, we’re happy to help! 

Sincerely,

Answer 4

Good idea.

For everyone finding this in the future, please VOTE ON THIS SUGGESTION.

Here is the link:

https://bingads.uservoice.com/forums/82363-bing-ads-feature-suggestions/suggestions/33686212-billing-tab-allow-us-to-enter-a-start-date-first