# `sample_end_rule`

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> Axis ``sample_end_rule`` on sub-layer ``l1_e`` (layer ``l1``).

## Sub-layer

**l1_e**

## Axis metadata

- Default: `'latest_available'`
- Sweepable: False
- Status: operational

## Operational status summary

- Operational: 2 option(s)
- Future: 0 option(s)

## Options

### `latest_available`  --  operational

End at the panel's last date.

Default. Uses the most recent observation in the bundled vintage.

Configures the ``sample_end_rule`` axis on ``l1_e`` (layer ``l1``); the ``latest_available`` value is materialised in the recipe's ``fixed_axes`` block under that sub-layer.

**When to use**

Default. Studies that want to use the full available history.

**References**

* macroforecast design Part 1, L1: 'data definition is the recipe layer that pins source, target, geography, and horizon -- everything downstream branches off these choices.'

**Related options**: [`fixed_date`](#fixed-date)

_Last reviewed 2026-05-04 by macroforecast author._

### `fixed_date`  --  operational

Pin the end date in leaf_config (e.g., 2019-12-31).

Requires ``leaf_config.sample_end_date``. Useful for pseudo-out-of-sample evaluation where the recipe wants to exclude the COVID window or stop at a paper's reported sample.

**When to use**

Pre-COVID benchmark studies; matching a paper's reported sample window.

**References**

* macroforecast design Part 1, L1: 'data definition is the recipe layer that pins source, target, geography, and horizon -- everything downstream branches off these choices.'

**Related options**: [`latest_available`](#latest-available)

**Parameters**

| name | type | default | constraint | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `sample_end_date` | `str` | — | Required when sample_end_rule=fixed_date. ISO date string: full YYYY-MM-DD, partial YYYY-MM (normalized to last day of month), or YYYY (normalized to Dec 31). Must be >= sample_start_date when both are fixed. | Explicit panel end date. The L1 loader trims the panel so that no observation falls after this date. |

_Last reviewed 2026-05-04 by macroforecast author._