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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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Michal Dubravcik on 20 Sep 2021 14:40:52

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

Everyone in my company forgets to set the date format when building new report. If it is set, it is often incorrect in Europe.
What a waste of time.

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Miguel Ulloa on 17 Sep 2021 22:51:45

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

This is needed, or at least a way where I can select all date type columns simultaneously and change their format. One at a time is quite painful on wide tables.

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Ronald Etapa on 29 Jul 2021 19:51:49

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

I have way to many dates to have to change every time I use Power BI.

Allow us to default to what every format we choose.

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Darpan Patel on 06 Jul 2021 16:44:24

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

It's pain in a neck to see Tuesday, July 6, 2021 instead of 07/06/2021 or 07-06-2021 or 2021-07-06 etc.

It's ironic to see 3 and half years old thread and Microsoft has done nothing about it.

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Aaron Wright on 07 Jun 2021 16:06:37

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

This is desperately needed functionality, and will be greatly appreciated by the community. This would be a step toward the mantra "spend more time analyzing your data". Thanks in advance, Microsoft Power BI Team!

DataInsights, Super User II

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Alec Houston on 02 Feb 2021 10:08:35

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

not being able to set a default date format is utterly moronic

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D. Kenely on 06 Jan 2021 15:42:12

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

Hey, Microsoft! It's been 3 1/2 years since this idea was suggested. What's it going to take for you to actually respond to this idea? Crowdsourcing? A bake sale?

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Rob Bunten on 05 Jan 2021 07:23:25

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

I'm here yet again. I can only imagine the reason this has just 205 votes is because the votes are split over similar, differently-worded requests. It is sheer madness that, as others have noted:
1. The default date format is so long-winded
2. It's US-centric. Sorry, but today is 5/1/2021 (or 2021-1-5), not 1-5-2021
3. This can't be set in a system- or file-wide way
So here I go again, going and fixing this field-by-field, as have others around the world.

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Dawn Kernen on 13 Nov 2020 16:52:46

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

Please allow us to define our own defaults (number of decimals, date format, thousands separator, etc. Thank you.

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Paul Bailey on 03 Nov 2020 14:35:49

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

This needs more votes. I waste so much time changing this everyday.