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Set the data model's default Format, for each Data Type

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Kevin H on 08 Sep 2017 04:29:54

For example: when the Power BI data model first creates a column with Data Type = 'Date', by default that column is formatted like 'Wednesday, March 14, 2001 (dddd, MMMM d, yyyy)'.

Then, I always go to the Modeling tab, and use the Format drop-down to change it to '2001-03-14 (yyyy-MM-dd)'.

Instead, I would like to be able to go into the "Options" menu in Power BI Desktop, and have a section where, for each Data Type (or at least Date, Date/Time, Decimal Number and Whole Number), I can set the default Format.

So that I don't have to manually change it every single time!

It would also be nice to add this as a setting in the Power BI Service. Set default Formats (maybe for the entire tenant, or maybe by user?) when creating a data model using the Power BI Service.

Comments (85)
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Terry Voorhis on 07 Dec 2022 21:06:03

RE: Set the data model's default Format, for each Data Type

Would save tons of time / money & speed acceptance of the PBI tool.

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Kris Vandeurzen on 29 Nov 2022 19:33:35

RE: Set the data model's default Format, for each Data Type

Please look into this.I understand it's not a priority but it's such a annoyance .Additionally set the standard data type of a date column to date.I know behind the scenes it is datetime but if everybody changes it to date, please make it the default..

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Ryan Ferguson on 24 Oct 2022 18:10:46

RE: Set the data model's default Format, for each Data Type

The lack of the ability to set a default date format in desktop wastes so much time with every new report you create. I have to change every column, one at a time, to short date because that's the format I need 99% of the time. Occasionally, I need it with a time stamp. I never need it to display with the name of the day of the week. Really strange choice for the default.

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Carl Blunck on 14 Oct 2022 02:01:16

RE: Set the data model's default Format, for each Data Type

This is such a simple change that would save HOURs. I have 80 date fields....

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William Bond on 12 Oct 2022 00:30:20

RE: Set the data model's default Format, for each Data Type

Additionally, some other options I have to change EVERY TIME (due to company reporting requirements) are:Currency > 2 decimal places!Percentage > 1 decimal place!It is only 1 step, but the added loading time / frequency of having to do this becomes a significant amount of my programming time.

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Jonathan Flint on 11 Oct 2022 14:09:33

RE: Set the data model's default Format, for each Data Type

Basic functionality that is sorely lacking, please add the option to set data types as a default of the developer. We know our data better the MS.

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David Ellwood on 06 Oct 2022 10:43:49

RE: Set the data model's default Format, for each Data Type

How is this minor change still not made five years on from the original ticket? Come on.

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Sima Patel on 30 Sep 2022 18:04:12

RE: Set the data model's default Format, for each Data Type

Yes, please add this functionality.

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Phil Plummer on 23 Sep 2022 17:21:43

RE: Set the data model's default Format, for each Data Type

I mean, who really cares what day of the week a date is on? This is nuts!

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Karthik Palaniswamy on 13 Sep 2022 22:24:53

RE: Set the data model's default Format, for each Data Type

I work with multiple tables and each table has about 7-8 date fields. This is a real pain to manually change the date format to Short Date every time.Also, why can't I do multiple select columns in the Data Tab in PowerBI Desktop?