Forum Discussion
Helper IIIHow to add a blank cell when formula returns error or null in Power Query
Hello,
I have two calculated columns with different expressions in Power Query. I want to calculate the difference between the two columns and return a blank value where the formula returns an error message.
The first column (% Change) is calculated by the difference of = (Projected $ - Cost)/Projected
The second column used the result of the first column and subtracted it from 1. i.e. % Complete = 1-(% Change) value.
This way when the result is displayed on my power PowerPivot table, the value in the cell remains blank instead of "NA#".Also, if there is a better way to do this calculation, please share your thoughts as well.
Thanks!
Yes, I do suggest you use DAX measures in Power BI Desktop (or Excel if you are using Excel with powerpivot).
3 Replies
- Datatouille
Solution Sage
Hi mdrammeh
I think you should not use Power Query but Dax language to perform this kind of calculations.
And because it involves ratios, you should create DAX measures rather than calculated columns - otherwise you'll get wrong figures when analysing your percentages.
Why ? Because a/b + c/d + e/ f is NOT equal to (a + c + e) / (b+d+f)
You should always do "the ratios of the sum rather than the sum of the ratios" (Kimball).
So create these 2 measures:
[Pct Change] = 1 - Sum(Table[Cost]) / Sum (Table[Projected])
[Pct Complete] = 1 - [Pct Change]
Format them as % and use them in any graphs. These measures will automaticcaly adjust to filter context.
Your Pct calculations will be both correct and dynamic.
mdrammehSo are you suggesting I use DAX functions in Excel or Power BI instead of Power Query? Could you share an example from the Query editor?
- Datatouille
Yes, I do suggest you use DAX measures in Power BI Desktop (or Excel if you are using Excel with powerpivot).