Error in Date time format as input is "-"

[HWhitee]

Hi all,

I'm looking to draw on your collective knowledge for an issue i'm experiencing. I've tried to find a solution in the forums, but havent found yet, so logging it myself.

I'm drawing logistical ETA timestamps which I then convert into a details to understand when it will be delivered. However, sometimes we have no ETA available and the underlying report provides a "-". Now my PBI is saying that all the lines with "-" have an error as the dash cannot be converted into a date.

Please help.

I'm not an expert with PBI, so any help is welcome. 

[HWhitee]

Hi DataInsights,

I have the following step already in place:

= Table.SelectRows(#"Changed Type", each ([Legacy Record ID] <> null and [Legacy Record ID] <> "" and [Legacy Record ID] <> "-"))

Without success.

Additionally, when i try to use the 'replace values' function, and select to find "-" and replace with null, I get the message "enter a DateTime value", see screenshot below.

Thank you for thinking along.

[DataInsights · Accepted solution]

@HWhitee,

In my example, the data type was Text before applying the Replace Values step. Upstream in your Power Query script, find the step that sets the data type for that column and change it to Text.

[HWhitee]

That was it, brilliant, thank you!

[DataInsights]

@HWhitee,

In Power Query, add a step that replaces "-" with null. After this step, you should be able to convert the column to a DateTime value.