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JacktheYeti's avatar
JacktheYeti
Helper I
6 years ago
Solved

PowerBI Data Types

Hello,

 

I'm importing data from a mySQL database to run some reports on. There is a column that repsents the coupon type and is identified by a number 1 - 5.

 

When the data is loaded into PowerBI, it categorizes this column as a Boolean, specifically True, vs. the whole number it actually is. 

 

When I query the Database outside of PowerBI I can see each of the whol enumbers appropriately (1 -5).

Is there a way I can load this datatype specifically before PowerBI Transforms it automatically for me?

  • The column causing trouble was type TINYINT inside the database. I created a new datasource and wrote a SQL statement that used the CAST() function to change the type and load it into PowerBI successfully. 

     

    For reference, it looked like this: 

    CAST(coupon.type AS SIGNED) as coupon_Type

     

5 Replies

  • HotChilli's avatar
    HotChilli
    Community Champion

    When you look at the data in Power Query, you should be able to edit or delete the step that wrongly identifies the column as a bool.

    • JacktheYeti's avatar
      JacktheYeti
      Helper I

      It happens upon initial data load, so it seems there is no step to delete or change. I've tried changing it post load but the BOOL becomes a 1 or 0 when I change it to a whole number type.

  • v-xicai's avatar
    v-xicai
    Community Support

    Hi JacktheYeti ,

     

    Method 1:

    Go to File->Options and settings-> Options, disable the type detection option like picture below (disable the option will affect all fields' type detection, so do this carefully).

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Method 2:

    Change the data type in Report view or Data view .

     

     

     

     

     

    Method 3:

    Enter into Query Editor, delete the step named "Changed Type", or change the data type.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Best Regards,

    Amy

     

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

    • JacktheYeti's avatar
      JacktheYeti
      Helper I

      Thanks Amy, I gave this a try but was unsuccessful. The data would load in as TRUE and FALSE or 1 and 0.

  • The column causing trouble was type TINYINT inside the database. I created a new datasource and wrote a SQL statement that used the CAST() function to change the type and load it into PowerBI successfully. 

     

    For reference, it looked like this: 

    CAST(coupon.type AS SIGNED) as coupon_Type