Forum Discussion

StephenF's avatar
StephenF
Icon for Responsive Resident rankResponsive Resident
6 years ago
Solved

Whats the default data type in Query Editor? symbil is ABC123

Whats the default data type in Query Editor? symbol is ABC 123

 

I'm trying to convert it to a text type but i need to know what type of data it is

  • Hi StephenF 

    "ABC 123" is of "any" data type, you can convert it to "text" under "Tranform"->"Data type".

     

    When you load data into Power BI Desktop, it will attempt to convert the data type of the source column into a data type that better supports more efficient storage, calculations, and data visualization. For example, if a column of values you import from Excel has no fractional values, Power BI Desktop will convert the entire column of data to a Whole Number data type, which is better suited for storing integers.

     

    For example, when i add a custom column without defining data type, it would show as a "any" type.

    To avoid this and give proper type for columns, you could define data type when adding columns in power query.

    https://excelgorilla.com/power-bi/power-query/define-data-type-custom-column/

     

    Best Regards

    Maggie

    Community Support Team _ Maggie Li
    If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

2 Replies

  • v-juanli-msft's avatar
    v-juanli-msft
    Icon for Community Support rankCommunity Support

    Hi StephenF 

    "ABC 123" is of "any" data type, you can convert it to "text" under "Tranform"->"Data type".

     

    When you load data into Power BI Desktop, it will attempt to convert the data type of the source column into a data type that better supports more efficient storage, calculations, and data visualization. For example, if a column of values you import from Excel has no fractional values, Power BI Desktop will convert the entire column of data to a Whole Number data type, which is better suited for storing integers.

     

    For example, when i add a custom column without defining data type, it would show as a "any" type.

    To avoid this and give proper type for columns, you could define data type when adding columns in power query.

    https://excelgorilla.com/power-bi/power-query/define-data-type-custom-column/

     

    Best Regards

    Maggie

    Community Support Team _ Maggie Li
    If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

  • camargos88's avatar
    camargos88
    Icon for Community Champion rankCommunity Champion

    Hi StephenF,

     

    This is classified as Any Data Type, this is the default data type for PQ when it doesn't know.

     

    Ricardo