Forum Discussion
Super UserDefault "Changed Type" in Excel
Yes you are right. Currently, Power Query automatically converts columns from Excel.CurrentWorkbook() to type datetime, even when the underlying data is a plain date. This is inconsistent with how external Excel file sources (Excel.Workbook(...)) behave, which correctly set columns to type date when appropriate. This behavior creates unnecessary cleanup work when working with tables in the current workbook. It would be incredibly helpful if users could globally configure the default data type mapping for date/datetime detection or choose to disable or override the Changed Type step defaults for Excel.CurrentWorkbook(). Please consider adding a setting (in Power Query or Excel Options) to control this behavior.
The final option:
There is no longer a dedicated Power Query UserVoice, but you can use Microsoft Excel Feedback Portal:
https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedbackGo to Excel > Power Query, and click + Give feedback
If you found this solution helpful, please consider accepting it and giving it a kudos (Like) it’s greatly appreciated and helps others find the solution more easily.
Best Regards,
Nasif Azam
Super User
Nasif_Azam wrote:There is currently no built-in setting in Power Query or Excel to change this default behavior globally.
Unfortunate. Yes, I am aware of all the various work-arounds, including writing my own type detection routines, but was hoping to avoid that. Do you happen to have the link where I can request to have this added as a feature?
Super User
Yes you are right. Currently, Power Query automatically converts columns from Excel.CurrentWorkbook() to type datetime, even when the underlying data is a plain date. This is inconsistent with how external Excel file sources (Excel.Workbook(...)) behave, which correctly set columns to type date when appropriate. This behavior creates unnecessary cleanup work when working with tables in the current workbook. It would be incredibly helpful if users could globally configure the default data type mapping for date/datetime detection or choose to disable or override the Changed Type step defaults for Excel.CurrentWorkbook(). Please consider adding a setting (in Power Query or Excel Options) to control this behavior.
The final option:
There is no longer a dedicated Power Query UserVoice, but you can use Microsoft Excel Feedback Portal:
https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback
Go to Excel > Power Query, and click + Give feedback
If you found this solution helpful, please consider accepting it and giving it a kudos (Like) it’s greatly appreciated and helps others find the solution more easily.
Best Regards,
Nasif Azam