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sammyboi's avatar
sammyboi
New Member
3 years ago

Creating a conditional column with null value

Hi there! I am trying to create a conditional column to return values based on the following logic:   if column a is null, then column a should equal to column b if column a and column b are bo...
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MahyarTF's avatar
MahyarTF
Memorable Member
3 years ago

Hi,

In addition to the grantsamborn Post, you could create the below column and use it in your visual :

ResultCol =
            SWITCH(Sheet186[Column],
                   BLANK(), SWITCH(Sheet186[A],
                                   BLANK(), SWITCH(Sheet186[B],
                                                   BLANK(), Sheet186[C], Sheet186[B]),
                                   Sheet186[A]),
                  Sheet186[Column])
Appreciate your Kudos
  • grantsamborn's avatar
    grantsamborn
    Solution Sage
    3 years ago

    A couple questions/comments:

    1 - When creating a calculated column, the table name isn't necessary.
    2 - I'm not sure where you came up with Sheet186[Column].
    3 - While I realize SWITCH has its places, please explain how in a simple case like this it easier to read than using IF.

     

    grantsamborn =
IF(
    ISBLANK( [ColumnA] ),
    IF(
        ISBLANK( [ColumnB] ),
        [ColumnC],
        [ColumnB]
    ),
    [ColumnA]
)


MahyarTF =
SWITCH(
    Sheet186[Column],
    BLANK(),
        SWITCH(
            Sheet186[A],
            BLANK(),
                SWITCH(
                    Sheet186[B],
                    BLANK(), Sheet186[C],
                    Sheet186[B]
                ),
            Sheet186[A]
        ),
    Sheet186[Column]
)
    • MahyarTF's avatar
      MahyarTF
      Memorable Member
      3 years ago

      Hi,

      1- Yes, You are right, for the calc column not need to bring the table name (as in the sample file, I have a multi same columns, I wrote the table name and just copy the code)

      2- my Table structure is like below (I bring one more column ) :

      3- As you know there is more than one solution. I mentioned that your answer I good, but sometimes the codes' performance should be considered.

      As you see in below image I run the codes for comparing the performance and it should be not same (should check in real data by user to find the best solution :

       

      Thanks for letting me know

      • grantsamborn's avatar
        grantsamborn
        Solution Sage
        3 years ago

        This is the first I've heard of a sample file.

        Good luck.