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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 (24)
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9aab14b6 0004-40b9-b654-77b7019437ba on 06 Jul 2020 00:00:11

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

The amount of time it takes to format the date and amounts is like watching water boil....
Being able to define defaults in the theme would be great.
At the very least allow us to choose multiple columns at a time and apply the format to those all at once vs one at a time.

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ab8bd17b f1bc-4c27-8681-269d9b6d5b74 on 05 Jul 2020 23:59:58

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

Even if you can't set a default, the current default setting is the most ridiculous setting i have ever seen. Developers must have been smoking something

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133030b2 eea0-42a2-9258-74aa73f28b55 on 05 Jul 2020 23:53:51

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

The default format is absolutely awful.

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edff72fc 4d45-4916-9957-a1a9d440a7ff on 05 Jul 2020 23:48:55

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

Definitely I vote this!

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d620134a 466b-48e1-8afb-198c49932b73 on 05 Jul 2020 23:47:04

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

I agree. And I agree with Bernat; the default date format is just dumb. How often does anyone really want a date in that long format??

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0913b7ec b373-46e1-ba5d-984157a3951c on 05 Jul 2020 23:46:12

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

Completely crazy that this feature doesn't exist. I do NOT want each user to have his own format, I want to force it globally. Dates should always be YYYY-MM-DD, numbers should always have dot decimal separator, etc.

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3dc7040f 4c39-4d79-b5e1-6eab1b8db510 on 05 Jul 2020 23:43:27

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

Agree with Kevin H comment, this also need to be fixed for default number formatting to set default decimals places, thousand separator, currency code,...

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98e3db11 dc38-452a-b2ed-90332632cb83 on 05 Jul 2020 23:39:56

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

I would be glad even if only the default value was not such an obnoxious and long format as it is now...

isn't there any xml file which can be tuned or something?

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65386cf3 4bd8-48fa-8a23-ba7a4f535dca on 05 Jul 2020 23:27:06

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

PLEASE implement this feature! Very time consuming to have to go in to MODELING & have to set default format for date field on every file pulled in. I am currently leaving any that are "report only" as text to save time.

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2a66cbf1 dd37-4c03-b352-aef88929d64e on 05 Jul 2020 23:24:16

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

This would be a really nice quality of life improvement. Supported!