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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 (84)
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Andre Edmunds on 01 Sep 2022 06:17:53

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

This is insane ... I just switched from Dataset to Dataflow ... reimported all my 70 (yes SEVENTY) tables with at least 2-4 dates each ... and have had to go through and change every date from the default to a short date of my choosing. What a waste of time for a simple feature ... Just make it two steps ... a) the Format desired for Date, Time and Date/Time fieldsb) override and enforce globally tick boxCome of PowerBI gurus ... let's get it happening

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Andriy K on 07 Aug 2022 20:36:22

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

yes, please make this available!thank you

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Christopher Mullins on 28 Jul 2022 14:45:13

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

YES!!It's maddening to have to do this EVERY SINGLE TIME. We work with dates a lot, as I'm sure everybody else does. It seems small, but having to do this over and over and over again becomes a serious time suck.

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Mira Nikkilä on 01 Jul 2022 07:19:46

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

It would help a lot, if the default format for date would not be the long but short one. Who uses long one in any report?

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Matt Tagg on 30 Jun 2022 04:04:26

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

Just having to reformat 50 odd date columns in desktop that formatted correctly in dataflows. Painful Team, please either give the option to set a default date format or even better don't auto format and take it from source!

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Alina Peussa on 27 Jun 2022 10:26:35

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

Current default (Name of day, date, name of month, year) is the longest one and without a doubt the most useless one.

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James Hallock on 27 Apr 2022 13:41:23

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

I've been an Excel user for years and have grown accustomed to the awesome functionality and flexibility offered in that program. If Power BI is to be the next generation's Excel, why not offer this same vast Ribbon functionality and allow the user the choice for default formats, etc. I spend too much time reformatting fields when the fix should be pretty straight-forward. Fix this please!

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Geilisa Almodovar on 15 Feb 2022 13:19:11

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

2022 and still nothing?

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Eduard Davidzhan on 17 Nov 2021 03:22:09

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

Workaround for dates: there is a bulk format edit option in Power BI Model (Table Relationships) view. On the right pane you can use search to filter to the all the fields having "Date" in the name, then using ctrl select all of them and in properties select a date format you like to apply to all of them.

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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.