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Power Platform Community / Forums / Power Apps / Using excel table as d...
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Using excel table as database - column pulling as datetime data type when should be text?

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Posted on by 73

I am using an excel table as a datasource for my powerapp, this has over 91 columns each of which will have a date entered into the rows in the format of R2023-04-28 or C28/04/2023. All of the columns have pulled through as text fields which is correct because of the leading R or C, but one in particular has pulled through as a datetime randomly and is now giving me errors such as:

 

meganpay149_1-1682675551227.png

and an error in my patch function behind the submit button because im using datacardvalue.text and its not pulling as text.

 

In the published version of my app it works fine, but there seems to of been a change made that has broken it, and i've tried to restore the working version but it isn't working.

 

See view when trying to add the field:

 

meganpay149_2-1682675716077.png

HR PO 004 is showing as date but all the rest - PR PF 224 for example are text fields.

 

How can i change it back to a text field? because I'm using excel as a datasource i'm not sure what determines what kind of value it is?

 

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  • Verified answer
    BCBuizer Profile Picture
    22,505 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

    Hi @meganpay149 ,

     

    This is one of the big disadvantages of using Excel as a datasource: when connecting it will try to determine the column type, based on the data in the table. The only way to influence that is by formatting your data to match a certain type before adding.

     

    There are further disadvantages to using Excel as a datasource (QTT - Power Apps Excel is a terrible data source - YouTube), so I would recommend to switch to using SharePoint lists instead.

  • meganpay149 Profile Picture
    73 on at

    Ah okay I didn't realise it was as bad to use as it is. 

     

    The error I'm getting is on my ThisItem.'HR PO 004', can you advise how to convert this appropriately to show in the text box?

  • Verified answer
    BCBuizer Profile Picture
    22,505 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

    Hi @meganpay149 ,

     

    1. Remove this table from Power Apps

    2. In the Excel file, copy the contents of 'HR PO 022' and overwrite the contents of 'HR PO 004' column (save the current contents of 'HR PO 004' somewhere).

    3. Connect the table again to PowerApps

    4. In the Excel file, restore the contents of 'HR PO 004'.

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