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RPYee
Frequent Visitor

Maintain Original Column Name in Report Builder Table

I am dragging columns from my datasource into a table in Power BI Report Builder.  The column names include the use of the underscore when spaces are present i.e. "entry_nbr", "entry_summary_date".  When put into the table, the header removes the underscore so that the output table shows spaces in the column title:

  

RPYee_0-1735938326779.png

 

How do I maintain the original column titles? There are times I want the underscore to remain.  Other times it may be ok, but this isn't one of them...

 

 

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
Anonymous
Not applicable

Hi @RPYee , hello rohit1991, thank you for your prompt reply!

As far as I know, there is no way to change this default behaviour.

As a workaround, we could set expression for each column, double click the filed you need to make it display underscore:

vyajiewanmsft_0-1736236221236.png

Additionally, you could also save the file first, then open the file in notepad, replace the column name in text editor:

vyajiewanmsft_1-1736236551222.png

Best regards,

Joyce

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

View solution in original post

3 REPLIES 3
rohit1991
Super User
Super User

To maintain original column titles with underscores in Power BI Report Builder:

  1. Manually Edit Header Text: Click on the header cell and type the original name (e.g., entry_nbr).
  2. Check Dataset Query: Ensure column aliases in the query match the original names with underscores.
  3. Disable Auto Formatting: In the header cell properties, set Value to the exact column name (e.g., [entry_nbr]).

Preview the report to confirm changes.


Did it work? ✔ Give a Kudo • Mark as Solution – help others too!

1.  There are about 30 columns being pulled.  I do not have the time, nor the patience, to manually edit every single column header.  With a program as robust as PowerBI, I shouldn't have to!

 

2.  Even when my query plainly states AS, with the underscore included, the underscore is being removed from the column header.

 

3.  I cannot find this setting. Can you provide a bit more detail on where it is located?

Anonymous
Not applicable

Hi @RPYee , hello rohit1991, thank you for your prompt reply!

As far as I know, there is no way to change this default behaviour.

As a workaround, we could set expression for each column, double click the filed you need to make it display underscore:

vyajiewanmsft_0-1736236221236.png

Additionally, you could also save the file first, then open the file in notepad, replace the column name in text editor:

vyajiewanmsft_1-1736236551222.png

Best regards,

Joyce

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

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