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TIGER8855's avatar
TIGER8855
Helper I
3 years ago
Solved

exclude text values when using DATEDIFF

I'm using DATEDIFF to find the number of days between today and dates in column however the column also has some values that are text therefore the the calculation doesn't work.  Can anyone advise...
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  • TomMartens's avatar
    TomMartens
    3 years ago

    Hey TIGER8855

    you can do this with two steps in Power Query, create a new column with this code
    try Date.FromText ([maybe a Date] )
    otherwise null


    Then change the data type to Date
    This result might look like this:

    Hopefully this provides what you are looking for.

    Regards,
    Tom

TomMartens's avatar
TomMartens
Super User
3 years ago

Hey TIGER8855 ,

 

this will not work because the DATEDIFF function requires the argument to be either of data type DATE or DATETIME: DATEDIFF – DAX Guide

Regards,
Tom

TIGER8855's avatar
TIGER8855
Helper I
3 years ago

Thanks TomMartens . Do you know what is the easiest way to create a new column with just the dates and if there is text, the cell in the new column is blank? This way I can use the DATEDIFF on the new column with only the dates.

  • TomMartens's avatar
    TomMartens
    Super User
    3 years ago

    Hey TIGER8855

    you can do this with two steps in Power Query, create a new column with this code
    try Date.FromText ([maybe a Date] )
    otherwise null


    Then change the data type to Date
    This result might look like this:

    Hopefully this provides what you are looking for.

    Regards,
    Tom

    • TIGER8855's avatar
      TIGER8855
      Helper I
      3 years ago

      Thanks TomMartens. That works. My original DATEDIFF can now be used on this new column.