Sorting 3-letter abbreviated months on Matrix

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

I have to show the first 3 letters of the months in order for my table to fit properly. I do not need years to be visible.
I already have a date hierarchy [FirstOfMonth], and created a 3 letter abbreviation calculated column [3LetterMonth]

When I add the calculated column it returns as a text and not date. When converting the [3LetterMonth] column to a Date data type I recieve an #ERROR. 

My formula for the calculated column is

3LetterMonth = FORMAT(table_name[FirstOfMonth],"MMM")

[Syk · Accepted solution]

You don't need to format this as a date. You can extract the first 3 letters from your month and then sort the column.

Select your field (mine is "first 3") and click column tools > Sort by columns > month number (or months if they're sorted correctly)

This will give your abbreviated column the sort order you expect.

[Mikelytics]

Hi @Anonymous 

Use a date table lile this (with MonthNumber and MonthName)

Month number

Month Name:

Now use the sort by column feature -> sort name by number

When you now use the name column it will be sorted correctly.

Best regards
Michael
-----------------------------------------------------
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.
Appreciate your thumbs up!
@ me in replies or I'll lose your thread.

[FreemanZ]

hi @Anonymous 

why not directly reference the date column, try like:
3LetterMonth = FORMAT(table_name[date],"MMM")