Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Vote for your favorite vizzies from the Power BI Dataviz World Championship submissions. Vote now!

Reply
lottie2404
Frequent Visitor

HELP: Adding Leading Zeros in Power Query

Hello

How do I add "0" to a column that has 5 digits, the columns should have 6 digits, but due to an error it was loaded without the leading zero.

 

Could you explain me the process because I am new in power query, would I have to generate a new column? or modify the one I have?

2 REPLIES 2
Anonymous
Not applicable

Hi @lottie2404 ,

 

I guess this column is automatically converted to an whole number type.

vcgaomsft_0-1679986883593.png

You can add a step to fix it by reconverting it to text type.

= Table.TransformColumns(#"Changed Type",{"Column1",each if Text.Length(Text.From(_))<6 then "0"&Text.From(_) else Text.From(_)})

vcgaomsft_1-1679986950564.png

Of course, if the column is of the correct type in the Source step you can unconvert it in the second step.

 

Best Regards,
Gao

Community Support Team

 

If there is any post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution  to help the other members find it more quickly. If I misunderstand your needs or you still have problems on it, please feel free to let us know. Thanks a lot!

How to get your questions answered quickly --  How to provide sample data in the Power BI Forum

Anonymous
Not applicable

You can create a custom column (first make sure the column is changed to type text) using:

 

=Table.AddColumns(PriorStepOrTableName, {{"Padded", each Text.PadStart([NumberColumnName], "0", 1), type text}})

 

--Nate

Helpful resources

Announcements
Sticker Challenge 2026 Carousel

Join our Community Sticker Challenge 2026

If you love stickers, then you will definitely want to check out our Community Sticker Challenge!

January Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - January 2026

Check out the January 2026 Power BI update to learn about new features.

FabCon Atlanta 2026 carousel

FabCon Atlanta 2026

Join us at FabCon Atlanta, March 16-20, for the ultimate Fabric, Power BI, AI and SQL community-led event. Save $200 with code FABCOMM.