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DATA · CALENDAR EVENT DATA

Crypto Calendar Event Data: Null vs Zero - Handle Missing Fields Correctly

Economic and crypto calendars list events with times, forecasts and actuals. Before release, the actual is missing; a zero actual is a real number.

By ChartsPod Editorial Team · Reviewed by ChartsPod Research
Published · Updated · 5 min read

Short answer

In calendar data, an event's actual value is missing (null) until released, and some events have no forecast at all. A reported actual of 0 (e.g. 0.0% change) is a real result. Times may be tentative or change; timezones vary by source. Before using calendar data, store the event time in UTC, mark tentative times, keep forecast and actual as nullable, and record when you retrieved them, since values get revised.

Fields and what missing values mean

FieldNull / absent meansZero / empty means
ActualNot yet released0: real result
ForecastNone published0: forecast of zero
TimeTentative / TBD—
PreviousRevised later—
TimezoneSource-specific—
Calendar Event Data: how to read each fieldCalendar Event Data: how to read each field: Actual — Not yet released; Forecast — None published; Time — Tentative / TBD; Previous — Revised later; Timezone — Source-specific.ActualNot yet releasedForecastNone publishedTimeTentative / TBDPreviousRevised laterTimezoneSource-specific
Calendar Event Data: missing vs zero, field by field. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

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Handling policy

Policy for this sourcePolicy for this source: Store times in UTC; Mark tentative times; Keep actual nullable; Record retrieval time; Track revisions.POLICY FOR THIS SOURCEStore times in UTCMark tentative timesKeep actual nullableRecord retrieval timeTrack revisions
Apply this policy to every calendar event data request. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

Illustrative: a script reads a missing actual as 0 and logs a 'big miss' before the release happened.

Conclusion

Related: AI Crypto Calendar Research: How to Check Timestamps Before Trusting the Answer, Event-Risk Position Reductions: A Worked Crypto Example With Fees Included.

Before using calendar data, store the event time in UTC, mark tentative times, keep forecast and actual as nullable, and record when you retrieved them, since values get revised.

Review Crypto Calendar Event Data with bar replay before using it live.

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Questions readers ask

Is a missing actual zero?

No; the event hasn't been released.

Can event times change?

Yes; mark tentative ones.

Why record retrieval time?

Values and times get revised.

Sources and methodology

Field definitions come from DEX Screener's API reference, CoinGecko's onchain API documentation and Binance's Spot API documentation, read 17 October 2026. Where a schema was not visible in the documentation, this guide says so and describes defensive handling rather than asserting field behaviour.

  1. ChartsPod: product overview, pricing and FAQ — free terminal, venues, modules, no order placement; checked 17 Oct 2026.
  2. ChartsPod documentation — guides for order flow, derivatives, alerts, backtests, journal and workspaces.

This article explains research tools and workflows. It is not financial advice, does not recommend buying or selling any asset and does not predict prices. Crypto derivatives carry a risk of rapid and total loss of margin.

CHARTSPOD EDITORIAL EDITION · RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ONLY · NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE.