Field Description not available for columns

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I have built a data dictionary for all the reports in our workspace, using "select * from $SYSTEM.TMSCHEMA_COLUMNS" and "select * from $SYSTEM.TMSCHEMA_MEASURES". 

The problem I have come across is that while I am able to add a Description for measures as seen below. 

I am unable to do the same for columns and calculated columns. The properties pane does not even appear when selecting them.

Should the properties pane be available for columns?

Is there a different way to add a description for columns (such that it is part of the description metadata) within power bi?

If not is there an alternative?

[OwenAuger]

@Anonymous 

That's odd!

Descriptions for columns (whether calculated or not) are editable in Power BI Desktop (when the PBIX contains a dataset).

I haven't been able to replicate the behaviour you're seeing 😞

When any column is selected in the model view, you should see the Properties pane > General section, as shown below.

Also, the Properties pane > Cards section in your screenshots should only be visible when no columns/measures are selected.

Checking a couple of things:

• Is there anything unusual about the PBIX or your version of Power BI Desktop?
• Does your PBIX definitely contain a dataset (rather than being a report live-connected to another dataset)?
  (In this case, you should still see Properties pane > General but read-only.)

Could you share a link to a PBIX exhibiting the issue with data or anything sensitive removed?

Site note: You could use a script in Tabular Editor to load the descriptions to the model in bulk.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the reply Owen. Not super sure what the issue was but any changes in power query seems to resolve it. Such as adding a blank query and removing a parameter. Im guessing it was some kind of state issue that changing something in power query resolves.