Formatting

[korndorb]

There must be - hopefully - some known procedure or logic that guides one to the necessary clicks to choose in order to be allowed to format, say, a new measure. I've spent more hours than I want or want anyone to know, trying to find the magic combination that will allow the format option to not just make an appearance, but after appearing - working or doing the task. That is such a common requirement that I still hope that I am at fault and have just not listened or read the right thing to catch on as to how I get to choose and format data. I hesitate giving an example because I'll find out how to show a percentage after creating a measure to calculate percentages, but the next requirement will be to show a dollar sign with two decimal places - and the routine will bear no resemblance to showing the percentage format. But, okay. Here's and example. Page 45, problems 21, 22, and 23 are writing three measures that calculate percentages. I can't make the stinking percentage symbol show up. I got the right numbers, but my formatting sucks. Usually, in such a situation, I trial and error a few times and finally learn the required routine - but not for the last 3 hours now. Sure do wish it were Excel-like with "alt-key, format cells ... and then every selection in the world including how to customize my own unique requirements. I have discovered there's a way to use a command ("format", I think without looking it up again), and then show x's, y';s, z's q's and elephants and giraffe icons (I'm just kidding) that will create the desired format and you bracket divide or multiply or whatever with that format thingy on either side. Yuk.

Please, someone, make me feel like an idiot by telling me how to format - some sort of guidelines so I can forget about this required but supposed-to-be simple need. I would much prefer to be learning about DAX among a wealth of other things instead of losing all these hours on ... formatting.

[MattAllington]

Which book are you using. Excel or Power BI?