How to get a short form of Month ( "Format" is no longer working on my end at least)

[JUJU_628]

Hi all,

Anyone can help me with changing the Month into short form. For example, January to Jan.

I've beening reading quite a few answers which suggested using add column = Format([Month],”MMM”) 

But all I got is the error message saying :

"Expression.Error: The name 'format' wasn't recognized. Make sure it's spelled correctly."

Can anyone help me with that?

Thanks!

Julia

[FarhanAhmed]

If month contains month name like January , February etc. Then you can use by creating new column

Short Month = LEFT (Table[Month],3)

[OwenAuger]

Hi Julia,

If you're getting that error message, you must be creating the column in Power Query, which would be my preferred place to add columns where possible 🙂

Assuming that [Month] is of type date, you can add such a column using the expression:

=Date.ToText([Month], "MMM")

FORMAT is a DAX function, so you can only use it to create a calculated column after loading the data to the model and clicking "New column" on the ribbon or in the context-menu of a table in the Fields list.

Regards

Owen

[JUJU_628]

Ok, maybe too early for the success. Is that true if I add column in the field, it's not making any real change in the query? Because I need this column for adding another column.

[FarhanAhmed]

If data is consistent in that column, it will not affect your current query

[JUJU_628]

is that true we cant see it in the power query. In the end I'm able to add another column in the field but not the query.

[JUJU_628]

Thank you Owen! Yes, you are right! Because I'm in that power query! I got out of that editor and tried in the field, the format is working! However, I think the format only works when it's date format, right? Mine is text.

[amitchandak]

@JUJU_628 , you need to give Date, seem like you are giving a text

Format([Date],”MMM”)

[JUJU_628]

Thank you! Yes, I realised the it's the text not the date.