Splitting a DateTime Column into Date and Time Improve Memory Usage and Performance in Power Bi

[Chandana_V]

Hi,

I'm working with large datasets in Power BI that contain a DateTime column. I’m wondering how splitting this single DateTime column into two separate columns can help reduce memory usage and improve query performance in Power BI.

Thanks

[shafiz_p · Accepted solution]

Hi @Chandana_V ,
DateTime columns have high cardinality because each unique timestamp is treated as a distinct value. By splitting the column, you reduce the number of unique values in each column, which lowers cardinality and improves compression.

You can use power query to split column into Date and Time. Here is how:

• Select the DateTime column.
• Go to the "Add Column" tab.
• Choose "Date" and then "Date Only" to create a new Date column.
• Choose "Time" and then "Time Only" to create a new Time column.

Hope this helps!!

If this solved your problem, please accept it as a solution and a kudos!!

Best Regards,
Shahariar Hafiz