# Date handling functions

You can mask dates.

| Function | Random masking | Consistent masking | Format-preserving encryption | Input data validation | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Date variance | ![](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/components/7.3/Resources/images/tick.png) | ![](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/components/7.3/Resources/images/cross.png) | ![](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/components/7.3/Resources/images/cross.png) | ![](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/components/7.3/Resources/images/cross.png) | You can use the tPatternMasking component to mask dates in a bijective<br>manner. However, the variation in days is not guaranteed. |
| Keep year and set day and month to 01/01 | ![](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/components/7.3/Resources/images/cross.png) | ![](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/components/7.3/Resources/images/tick.png) | ![](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/components/7.3/Resources/images/cross.png) | ![](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/components/7.3/Resources/images/cross.png) | - |

### In this section

* [Date variance](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/components/7.3/data-privacy/date-variance)
* [Keep year and set day and month to 01/01](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/components/7.3/data-privacy/keep-year-and-set-day-and-month-to-01-01)