Get certified for free when you join Fabric Data Days 2026 and dive into Fabric, Power BI, SQL, AI, and other essential data skills.
Join nowData Days is here! Join us now for 60+ days of learning, challenges, and connection. Learn more
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?
Solved! Go to Solution.
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:
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:
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.
Thanks Amy, I gave this a try but was unsuccessful. The data would load in as TRUE and FALSE or 1 and 0.
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.
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.
Don't miss out on Data Days, June 15 through August 7. Learn Fabric, Power BI, SQL, AI and more.
Check out the May 2026 Power BI update to learn about new features.
| User | Count |
|---|---|
| 23 | |
| 23 | |
| 21 | |
| 20 | |
| 15 |
| User | Count |
|---|---|
| 58 | |
| 53 | |
| 42 | |
| 30 | |
| 24 |