#PowerPlatformTip 17 – ‘Format data by example’

📝 TL;DR

Creating complex expressions, especially for formatting dates, strings, and numbers, can be time-consuming and error-prone in Power Platform.

💡 Challenge

Creating complex expressions, especially for formatting dates, strings, and numbers, can be time-consuming and error-prone in Power Platform.

✅ Solution

Leverage the ‘Format data by example’ feature for creating more complex expressions. This tool allows you to quickly generate the correct expression by providing an example of the desired output.

🔧 How It’s Done

• Choose the type of data you want to format (dates, strings, or numbers).

• Provide an example of how you want the formatted data to look.

• The ‘Format data by example’ feature will generate the corresponding expression based on your example.

• Apply this expression in your Power Platform project for consistent and accurate data formatting.

🎉 Result

You’ll be able to create complex expressions for data formatting in a matter of seconds, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in your Power Platform projects.

🌟 Key Advantages

🔸 Simplifies the creation of complex expressions. 🔸 Saves time and reduces errors. 🔸 Versatile for dates, strings, and numbers. 🔸 Enhances consistency in data presentation.

🎥 Video Tutorial

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🛠️ FAQ

1. Where can I find the ‘Format data by example’ feature?
This feature is available in Power Query within Power BI and Excel, and can also be used in Power Platform for data transformation scenarios.

2. What types of data formatting does this feature support?
It supports various formats including dates, numbers, text patterns, phone numbers, addresses, and custom string combinations.

3. Can I use this feature for complex multi-column formatting?
Yes, you can provide examples that combine data from multiple columns to create formatted output strings.

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