DataFormat.Error: We couldn't parse the input provided as a DateTime value.

Hello,

I am working with a dataset retrieved as a CSV file through web.

I have a time field on the dataset with values similar to below:

10/31/2016 4:05:00 PM

When data is fed to PBI desktop, it is automatically detected as "text".

When I attempt to change its type to Date/Time, I get the following error:

       DataFormat.Error: We couldn't parse the input provided as a DateTime value.
       Details:
       10/31/2016 6:25:00 PM

I have checked the source, all values are similarly formatted ( no add values in the time field )

I have also used PromoteHeaders to prmote the first row ( which contains header to the header field ) before trying to change the type.

The exact step that fails uses this DAX code:

#"Changed Type" = Table.TransformColumnTypes(#"Promoted Headers",{{"time", type datetime}}),

Is there anything that I am doing wrong? or do I need any further pre-processing on this time field to be able to properly parse it?

Thanks

Ali

Need Help

BhaveshPatel
9 years ago
After playing with your text file for 15 mins, I have found that there are some extra space at the front of your date column. Can you please remove those extra characters.

Steps to follow afterwards:
1. Split the column by 11 characters. This will separate Date and Time
2. Split the Date column by "/" Delimiter
3. Change the data type of the newly created columns to Whole number
4. Bring the Day column first by dragging, Month column second and Year column last
5. Select all these three collumns and go to Add column Tab, Select Merge Columns and in Merge dialog, Select "/"Separator.
6. Change the data type of the merged column to Date.

So many steps .....

34 Replies

RaviTeja_M
Advocate I
6 years ago
Steps to be followed to resolve the Date Format Error :

1. When a CSV file is loaded in Power BI Desktop by default it detects the 'date/time' field as 'text' so when we try to convert we get an error.

2. Next Right click on the Field/Column you want to convert into a Date Field and navigate to 'Change Type' .

3. Next Click on 'Using Locale' option under the 'Change Type' dropdown.

4. Change the 'Data type' to 'Date' in the dialog box of 'Using Locale' as by default it takes it as 'text'.

5. Click on the drop down of 'locale'.

6. Then Select an 'Option' from drop down for which your Date field 'Format' matches exactly and Click on 'OK' .

7. Above steps will resolve the issue and same solution goes well for Date/Time column conversion also.
- mch
  New Member
  6 years ago
  RaviTeja_M your hint solved my issue, thak you!
- Anonymous
  Not applicable
  5 years ago
  Superb! Works perfectly
- Anonymous
  Not applicable
  4 years ago
  this solution worked for me, thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge
IWasTheL10N
New Member
6 years ago
Just a Note: I had the same error when I tried to format and American Date (MMDDYY). If you're in Europe (Ireland anyway) you need to arrange the date in DD/MM/YY.
Anonymous
Not applicable
3 years ago
You can specify the default format of receiving the data for Date format.
Just add en-GB or en-US in the end in the M code.
it prevents from failing the convertation 🙂
#"Changed Type1" = Table.TransformColumnTypes(#"Changed Type",{{"Date", type date}}, "en-GB")
BhaveshPatel
Super User
9 years ago
Splitting the column and rejoining them using "&" operator would solve the problem.
Greg_Deckler
Community Champion
9 years ago
That's actually Power Query "M" code, not DAX code. Definite difference. I tried this with your data and it seemed OK with what you presented. In Power Query I was able to convert it to datatime type. I would try cleaning and trimming your data column to see if it removes any weird characters or odd trailing spaces and such. You could also try the transformation in your data model (after import from Power Query) and see if it works there.

Any chance you can post the link to the actual CSV file?
- Alkhos
  Advocate I
  9 years ago
  Thanks BhaveshPatel, which delimiter did you mean to use for splitting and which for joining?
  
  Thanks Greg_Deckler,
  
  Thanks for clarification regarding M and DAX :)
  
  Below is a sample of the data ( with some ananymization and keeping only two rows:
  
  https://1drv.ms/t/s!AgdruS6e6l9tl3ojoTP5-737sLTI
  
  I seem to have the same issue with importing this file as CSV as well ( similar to using the web source )
  - BhaveshPatel
    Super User
    9 years ago
    After playing with your text file for 15 mins, I have found that there are some extra space at the front of your date column. Can you please remove those extra characters.
    
    Steps to follow afterwards:
    1. Split the column by 11 characters. This will separate Date and Time
    2. Split the Date column by "/" Delimiter
    3. Change the data type of the newly created columns to Whole number
    4. Bring the Day column first by dragging, Month column second and Year column last
    5. Select all these three collumns and go to Add column Tab, Select Merge Columns and in Merge dialog, Select "/"Separator.
    6. Change the data type of the merged column to Date.
    
    So many steps .....
Anonymous
Not applicable
7 years ago
How would I fix this error? It appears after I perform a data refresh.
DataFormat.Error: We couldn't parse the input provided as a DateTime value.
Details:
18 Days 15 Hours 59 Minutes
Belin
Frequent Visitor
3 years ago
In Power Query, go to transform in the ribbon and then Date>Parse
Anonymous
Not applicable
3 years ago
Hi, the power query editor considers your laptop's default date format so if the data is not in that format it might cause a problem in changing the data type.
Hence, you may split the column by delimiter and add a new column (using add a column from example, considering your system's date format).
vaniprasanna
Frequent Visitor
5 years ago
Thanks. I could resolve the issue. The solution worked.
Raj007
Helper III
4 years ago
DataFormat.Error: We couldn't parse the input provided as a Date value.
Details:
7/18/1996