format multiple columns

[rfway]

is there a way to format multiple columns at once?  This picture does not display the full data, but it basically contains dollar columns where I want to insert commas in each one-and ratios, where I want to add a "%" in all at the same time.  it takes a long time to do them column by column.. I tried control key, but it doesnt work.

thanks.

[Anonymous]

To Format multiple columns you need to go transform/ then highlight set of columns you wnat to change the data format(Percent, Whole number, etc.) then right click and choose Change type. Unfortunately there is no chose from here to select a decimal part but this is something eazy to do from Home tab. 

Hope it helps  

[danextian]

Hi @rfway ,

If it is in Power Query, the data type can be set for multiple columns at once. However, in Power BI, formatting multiple columns/measure is not yet possible. 

[Ali101]

the data type can be set for multiple columns at once,  is there article which tells how to do it?

[Anonymous]

Yes.  Here:  https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/format-multiple-columns/m-p/894159/highlight/true#M428619

[Anonymous]

It is possible.  https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/format-multiple-columns/m-p/894159/highlight/true#M428619

[crocus]

I didn't test measures but you can sure change multiple columns at once.

Like this: 

[Smithtastic]

This is the best tip/trick I've found in AGES! This will save me so many hours!!!! Thank you!

[coathangers]

Hero

[Anonymous]

logged in just to say: legend. thanks!

[Anonymous]

https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/format-multiple-columns/m-p/894159/highlight/true#M428619

[crocus]

This is a pretty old thread but I will update it with an update, in case anyone needs it.

Go to the Model view in Power BI Desktop and highlight multiple fields. The "Properties" pane will come up and you can change the format of all the fields at once.

[1powerbiaccount]

i learned a time saver skill bit. Thanks 

[Anonymous]

I logged in here only to say thank you.  I have spent months searching and no one seems to have found this.  What a lifesaver.

[gmq]

Logged in just to up vote and say thank you.

I wished more people had your initiative.

[Anonymous]

Thank you!! It works perfectly!

[v-yuezhe-msft]

Hi rfway,

Currently, we are not able to format multiple columns at the same time in data view of Power BI Desktop, regarding to this limitation , you can vote it and add comments in the following idea.

https://ideas.powerbi.com/forums/265200-power-bi-ideas/suggestions/10312620-allow-selecting-multiple...

In addition, to work around this issue, you can consider to copy the data in Excel and format these columns at once, then re-load the data into Power BI Desktop. There is a similar blog about formatting multiple columns in Excel for your reference.

Thanks,
Lydia Zhang

[Anonymous]

It is possible: https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/format-multiple-columns/m-p/894159/highlight/true#M428619

[Anonymous]

I've been having this same issue and what I don't understand is, in my Excel source file I have my columns formatted as percentages, in the Power BI query editor, I have my columns formatted as percentages. However in the Power BI main tool, it's converted everything to decimal number format. I wouldn't have this issue if the program wasn't converting the data.

Why does it reformat in the first place from the original source file?

[Anonymous]

Try this: https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/format-multiple-columns/m-p/894159/highlight/true#M428619

[Anonymous]

I'm having the exact same issue. I have dozens of columns that I want to change from whole numbers to %'s. They are formatted as % in Excel and in the query editor but not in my data view. Did you find a solution to this?